Inclusive Digital Development: Leveraging mWater's Affordable and Accessible WASH Data Management Platform for Sustainable Solutions
Written by Binepe Bwambale
Digital data technologies and internet connectivity are transforming lives, creating opportunities, and advancing economic development around the world. Despite the rapid evolution in technology and the development of numerous platforms and software to collect and manage data, the concept of accessible, affordable, and scalable technology has not been widely adopted. A study by the World Bank indicated that accessible and affordable technology is crucial as we tackle challenges around data management and SDGs in general. See report here
For households and individuals, digital data technology can significantly improve access to timely information, boosting educational outcomes, labor force participation, income, consumption, and Health. For businesses and organizations, digital technology can improve decision-making, increase efficiency, facilitate innovation, and expand markets.
Despite these digital technologies' potential to create enormous socioeconomic benefits, their uneven deployment, adoption, and use have created a “digital divide” across individuals, businesses, and countries. For instance, in Africa, mobile internet covers 84 percent of the population, but only 22 percent use it (Begazo, Blimpo, and Dutz, 2023).
This study also indicates that in 2022, more than 90 percent of people in high-income countries used the internet, compared with 25 percent in low-income countries.
In Africa, the data gap stands at a staggering level, having improved by just 2% from 2010 to 2020, with some countries having data coverage as low as 30%. This lack of data has severely impacted planning initiatives by governments, NGOs, and private entities in these low-resource nations, further exacerbating the economic gap and plunging these countries into poverty and constant technological stagnation.
Government agencies are responsible for managing official data and overseeing national performance reporting in areas related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other sectors. However, A study by the OECD indicated that in developing countries, these agencies frequently face shortages of human resources, financial limitations, and insufficient access to modern digital data generation tools, hindering their ability to produce necessary data. Consequently, policymakers lack the reliable data needed to make informed decisions and to evaluate and monitor the progress of policy implementation.
In this digital era where data is often heralded as the new oil, the ability of governments, organizations, and businesses in resource-limited regions to efficiently manage, analyze, and leverage vast amounts of information has become not only critical but mandatory in bridging the economic and digital gap.
How can these governments leverage the rapid tech solutions for data management without breaking their banks?
At the forefront of this big shift stands mWater, one of the leading digital data management software platforms that, for over a decade, has transformed how data, particularly in the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) sector, is managed. With over 250,000 registered users globally, mWater continues to expand, offering services to organizations, governments, and private entities, focusing on low-income countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The mWater software allows users to design flexible surveys online, track geolocated sites for collaborative, longitudinal monitoring, collect data using Android, iOS, or a browser, import and export data, work in multiple languages, use standard indicators for the SDGs, and more. Users can visualize and map their live data online, completely own their data, choose what to share, and scale up to thousands of users and millions of survey responses for their organization, business, or government.
Two key features of mWater that have ensured its success are its simplicity and sustainability.
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.
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The idea of simplicity, as articulated by Hans Hofmann, resonates deeply within the foundation of mWater. The mWater platform is designed with simplicity at its core, prioritizing functionality over complexity. When Users first log in, they find an interface that is clear and easy to navigate, a number of self help materials and a multitude of comprehensive data management features all in one place. This design ensures that users of all kinds and needs can easily navigate and utilize the platform effectively with limited support.
Under the leadership of CEO Dr. Annie Feighery, mWater has rapidly emerged as an industry leader known for its innovative solutions and relentless desire for simple, easy-to-use tools.
Dr. Annie likes to describe the software as a combination of Google Forms or SurveyMonkey for surveys, Excel for data cleaning, ArcGIS for spatial analysis, PowerBI for dashboards, and QuickBooks for accounting. This integrated approach offers a free, user-friendly system for low-resource local and national governments, enabling them to effectively maintain infrastructure awareness and manage distributed tasks like preventative maintenance or emergency response. Data collection is facilitated by an offline-capable mobile app available in 27 languages. Although initially created for civil service management in governments, many academic researchers also use the platform for cost-effective data collection and analysis.
"Putting these features together in a free format has the result of providing an easy-to-use, built-for-rugged internet conditions operating system for low-resource local and national governments to create situational awareness of infrastructure and begin actively managing personnel with distributed tasks like preventative maintenance or emergency response. “
Dr. Annie Feighery, CEO mWater
Sustainability
mWater follows an open-access business model. Anyone can use the platform for free, forever. Large organizations apply their own software budgets as investments in the technology the world needs. Investor-level organizations pay for new features, data-driven program design and implementation, and technical assistance and training. In turn, mWater is able to offer all features to the public for free.
In addition to free software, mWater offers a variety of standards and indicators for free, which would otherwise cost a fortune to design. We are proud of this approach, and we believe organizations whose goal is to help people can adapt to these approaches, especially when operating in resource-limited areas.
In just over 10 years, mWater has seen tremendous growth, and the pace is only increasing. Over 26 million surveys have been conducted on the platform, and projections are that it will hit 30 million by year-end! When mWater set out to offer free and easy-to-use data management software, the goal was to provide the best platform without adding the burden of expensive, sophisticated software and high maintenance costs or subscription fees to the end users.
Expensive technologies
Over the years, technology has evolved rapidly in the humanitarian sector, yet the costs of its use remain significantly high. For example, a report by the United Nations found that the annual cost of digital solutions for humanitarian aid could reach up to $1 billion by 2025.
Having technology that is free, easy to use, and designed with the end user in mind will stimulate the development of accessible and easy-to-scale technology.
With such technology available to organizations and governments, a lack of resources is not a reason to avoid adapting to digital technological solutions. Governments can maximize the use of these technologies while prioritizing resources for other service delivery and global goods.
Success stories
mWater's approach has led to significant successes across various sectors, including local and international NGOs, as well as local and national governments. By prioritizing simplicity and affordability, the mWater platform has empowered many organizations to manage data effectively, drive impactful projects, and respond efficiently to challenges. This section explores a few case studies highlighting how mWater's technology has facilitated tangible improvements in water access, sanitation, and overall community well-being.
An example of where this has become a reality is Project Maji. Based in Sub-Saharan Africa, Project Maji uses mWater’s open-source surveyor app and analytics platform to reach 278,000 people with improved water point access. To date, they have provided over 200 solar-powered water access points in three countries, contributing to five Sustainable Development Goals, including Clean Water, Gender Equality, Quality Education, and Good Health and Well-being.
At mWater, we have seen how data can significantly improve mundane and emergency situations. For example, DINEPA, Haiti’s water and sanitation agency, responded with incredible effectiveness to the 2021 earthquake because it had mapped comprehensive data on the country’s water points. This data was gathered before the earthquake using a tailored water management system created by mWater.
RUMIS map
mWater has collaborated with the Ugandan Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) to develop RUMIS, a WASH management information system, to track water service levels and meet water access and safety targets. RUMIS was quickly implemented in three districts—Luwero, Lira, and Pader—and has grown to more than 10 districts, providing real-time data collection and analytics. The system updates the Ugandan Water Atlas, ensuring ongoing data accuracy, and integrates data from various NGOs, aligning their information with government records. Supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, RUMIS has simplified water management tasks, enhanced data accessibility, and created employment opportunities for youth, addressing issues like climate change and population shifts, ultimately improving the efficiency and professionalism of Uganda's water sector management.
In Kenya, Aqua Clara Kenya, a B Corp-certified social enterprise, uses the mWater platform to manage data for over 9,000 clients. They provide affordable WASH technologies, including water filters, rainwater harvesting systems, and sanitation improvement for households and schools. mWater has streamlined Aqua Clara's transition from paper-based data collection, allowing real-time data access and analytics for tracking customer usage trends and service delivery. Aqua Clara's adoption of mWater has significantly improved customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, enabling the organization to serve better rural households, schools, and partnerships with NGOs, ultimately proving the effectiveness of accessible technology in resource-constrained environments.
Aqua Clara Kenya filters
As we navigate the challenges of the 21st century, particularly in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), technology must be simple, accessible, and affordable. The mWater platform exemplifies how digital solutions can bridge gaps, empower communities, and enhance global efforts towards sustainability. Through this free and user-centric platform, mWater supports the immediate needs of data management and analysis and paves the way for a future where digital technology is a cornerstone of equitable development. In doing so, we move closer to a world where no one is left behind.
References:
United Nations. (2023). Digital Solutions in Humanitarian Aid: Annual Cost Report.
https://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/abs/10.1596/978-1-4648-1737-3
Digital Africa: Technological Transformation for Jobs (2023)
Begazo, Blimpo, and Dutz