Pure Home Water (PHW) is a social enterprise and legally registered non-profit organization based in Tamale, Ghana founded in 2005 by Susan Murcott, Senior Lecturer in MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, in colloaboration with local partners and 2 years start-up funds from the C.N. Hilton Foundation. In 2012, PHW is engaged in expanding our state-of-the-art ceramic water filter factory in Tamale, Ghana to produce AfriClay Filters, our principal product (formerly known as the Kosim Filter). In the future, PHW hopes to also address the dire need for improved sanitation in northern Ghana by providing products, training and services.

PHW has played a major role in bringing household water and safe storage to Northern Ghana. PHW is the leading organization in Ghana promoting training in the proper use and the distribution of AfriClay Filters. PHW has trained field personnel who are expert with all the various hardware and software aspects of the ceramic pot filters and how to successfully integrate this technology in the household. In addition, PHW is the only NGO doing microbiological water quality testing of the treated water provided by its products and it has established a water quality laboratory at its office location at Kalpohin Estates in Tamale that allows this testing to take place according to WHO international guidelines. Moreover, over 5 years of experience in procurement, sales and distribution has enabled PHW to develop a professional capacity in the transport and delivery of this filter, especially to properly understand and address quality control (correct filter composition and flow rate), correct packing to prevent breakage and inspection. In short, PHW has the know-how to ensure that the filter is delivered safely to the users and is functioning properly once it arrives in the home.

PHW is also dedicated to addressing the serious problems of wastewater management and environmental solid waste. Thus the organization addresses not only drinking water quality, but the linked issues of sanitation and hygiene