More than a billion people lack access to clean drinking water. Every day, diseases that could be prevented by better water quality kill thousands of children, most of them below the age of five. But there are several programs to deal with this global crisis. One of them originated at Atlas Copco.

THE UNITED NATIONS has proclaimed 2005–2015 to be the international Water for Life decade, with measures planned to improve water quality and supply around the world. The World Health Organization estimates that better water, sanitation and hygiene could reduce diarrheal diseases such as cholera and dysentery by as much as about 30 percent.

Employee-run organization
More than two decades before the Water for Life decade, however, employees of Atlas Copco launched an initiative of their own, called Water for All. Since the organization was founded in 1984, it has helped provide close to one million people with steady access to clean drinking water. Water for All cooperates with non-political aid organizations, funding different kinds of water projects.  

In Tibet, it works with the Swedish Tibetan Society for School and Culture. The group’s main aim is to improve the educational opportunities for children in Tibet, but with Water for All as a sponsor, it has also installed wells with drinking water at three schools, which are used by the children as well as by thousands of villagers in the vicinity.

Money well spent Water for All now has more than 1,000 members, which on average contribute about 5 EUR (50 SEK) per month from their salaries.

Each employee donation is matched by the Atlas Copco Group. All projects are closely monitored by the organization’s board to make sure the money of its members is well spent. Most Water for All members are from Sweden, but chapters of the organization have been opened in Great Britain and Belgium, and other countries will soon join in. 

Atlas Copco is a world leading provider of industrial productivity solutions. The products and services range from compressed air and gas equipment, generators, construction and mining equipment, industrial tools and assembly systems, to related aftermarket and rental. In close cooperation with customers and business partners, and with more than 130 years of experience, Atlas Copco innovates for superior productivity. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, the Group’s global reach spans more than 150 markets. In 2005, Atlas Copco had 27 000 employees and revenues of BSEK 53 (MEUR 5 600). Learn more at www.atlascopco.com.

Gas and Process is a division within Atlas Copco’s Compressor Technique business area. It develops, manufactures and markets large, customized gas and process compressors and turbo expanders, as well as their respective aftermarket products. Its products are used primarily by the oil and gas, chemical/petrochemical process and power industries worldwide, and also by industries that specialize in gas production through air separation. The divisional headquarters and main production center is located in Cologne, Germany.