160 ORISA® water filters deployed in Colombia by Première Urgence Internationale
When access to drinking water becomes a matter of life and death
In many humanitarian contexts, access to safe drinking water remains one of the main determinants of population health. In Colombia, particularly in the departments of Arauca and Norte de Santander, communities face a combination of armed conflict, forced displacement, fragile infrastructure and untreated water sources. In these areas, consuming poor-quality water directly exposes families, and children in particular, to waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, gastrointestinal infections and parasitic diseases. It is in this context that Première Urgence Internationale has incorporated the ORISA® humanitarian water filter, designed by Fonto de vivo, into its WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) response, in order to provide a reliable, autonomous and sustainable filtration solution as close as possible to households.
A look back at the deployment of ORISA® water filters in Colombia
Between 2024 and 2025, 160 ORISA® water filters were deployed by Première Urgence Internationale in vulnerable rural and urban areas of Colombia. The filters were distributed to:
- families,
- rural schools,
- child development centres (CDIs)
- community facilities caring for children and elderly people.
Each distribution was accompanied by:
- training in the use and maintenance of the ORISA® filter
- awareness-raising on drinking water
- good hygiene practices educational materials adapted to the local context
The ORISA® filter was chosen for its ability to operate without electricity or chemicals, its robustness and its capacity to treat turbid or microbiologically risky water.
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Preparing for the distribution of ORISA® water filters
©Première Urgence Internatioe
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Distribution of ORISA® water filters
©Première Urgence Internationale
Analysis of the impact of ORISA® water purifiers
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution, Première Urgence Internationale conducted a post-distribution follow-up specifically for ORISA® filters.
Water access often degraded before the installation of the ORISA® filter:
- 67% of beneficiaries depended on a faulty or irregular water supply network.
- 33% used deep wells, artisanal sources, rivers or rainwater.
- 48% of respondents described the water as cloudy before filtration.
These data confirm that the ORISA® water purifier was deployed in contexts where water represented a daily health risk factor.
A solution truly embraced by households and communities
Follow-up by Première Urgence Internationale highlights the high level of acceptance of the ORISA® filter by beneficiaries:
- 93.8% of those surveyed received training on how to use the filter,
- 95.8% find the ORISA® filter easy to use,
- 91.7% understand how backwashing works and its benefits,
- 87.5% like the taste of filtered water
- 72.9% consume only water from the ORISA® filter
In households, the filter serves an average of four people, while in community facilities (schools, libraries), a single ORISA® filter provides access to drinking water for 60 to 80 children, significantly increasing its impact on the community.
©Première Urgence Internationale
Drinking water thanks to ORISA® at the heart of vulnerable families' well-being
Testimonials gathered in the field illustrate the concrete impact of ORISA® water filtration:
"The water is healthier and cleaner, and the children are much less likely to get sick stomachs."
"It's the only way for children to have access to treated water."
"We consume more water because we now trust its quality."
Families frequently mention:
- a reduction in digestive illnesses
- greater confidence in the water they consume
- less boiling of water, resulting in fuel savings
Maintenance and sustainability: practices well integrated by beneficiaries
The ORISA® filter is designed to be easily maintained by users themselves, as confirmed by the report's data:
- 60% of beneficiaries backwash every 2 to 3 days,
- 65% use a closed container in accordance with WaSH best practices,
- 71% store filtered water,
- 75% ensure regular maintenance monitoring.
These results demonstrate that the ORISA® water filter promotes real and sustainable autonomy for beneficiaries.
The NGO's perspective: why ORISA® is a suitable solution according to Première Urgence Internationale
For Première Urgence Internationale teams, the ORISA® water purifier offers key advantages over other water treatment solutions:
- Simple and robust device
- Operates without electricity or chemicals
- Cost-effective
- High community acceptance
- Autonomy for households and collective structures
ORISA® is therefore a reliable humanitarian water filtration solution, suitable for both emergencies and prolonged crises.
©Première Urgence Internationale
ORISA®, a humanitarian solution proven in the field
The results of post-distribution monitoring show that the ORISA® filter:
- Improves access to drinking water in the long term
- Helps prevent waterborne diseases
- Enhances people's dignity
- Meets the operational constraints of NGOs
At Fonto de vivo, we are convinced that humanitarian impact depends on simple, robust and sustainable solutions. The experiment conducted in Colombia with Première Urgence Internationale is a concrete illustration of this.
Expertise born from humanitarian experience
ORISA® was designed based on the field experience of former humanitarian worker David Monnier, initially co-founder of the company, and developed in response to specifications established with the involvement of major French and international NGOs: Médecins sans Frontières, French Red Cross, Solidarités International, Médecins du Monde, Handicap International, Terres des Hommes Lausanne, Premières Urgences.
“Adapting and making filtration technologies affordable for everyone, to meet the social and environmental challenges of our time.”
Anthony Cailleau, French representative for projects in Colombia, Managing Director and co-founder of Fonto de vivo. Contact person for development aid and international cooperation.