Owe Water introduce mineralised product with a social purpose

Every bottle of Owe+ sold contributes to the wellbeing of vulnerable communities, as the company pledges to offer a bottle of purified water Owe with each purchase.

This initiative is a part of Owe Water’s ongoing social mission to ensure that every family in Ho Chi Minh City has access to safe and clean water at an affordable price.

As a social enterprise, Owe Water maintains a subsidised price of VND25,000 for a bottle of 19 litres of Owe purified water, compared to an unsubsidised market price of VND45,000, to ensure that clean water is within reach for all families, particularly the most vulnerable.

According to Francis Phan, Owe’s general manager for Vietnam, its primary goal with the launch of Owe+ is to push its social mission even further and provide affordable, high-quality water to vulnerable communities, while also offering supporters a premium, mineralised water that enhances both their family’s health and wellbeing.

Francis Phan, Owe’s general manager Vietnam talked about social responsibility.

"The ‘+’ in Owe+ stands for more than just enhanced health benefits. It symbolises the collective impact that every purchase has in supporting vulnerable communities and expanding access to clean water. With each bottle purchased, consumers become part of a larger mission to ensure that clean drinking water is available to all. Every small act contributes to a greater collective force for good.

“We invite everyone to take part in a simple act of kindness that, when combined, can create a powerful wave of positive change. Become an Owe+ ambassador and help us spread the word. Together, we can make a difference, one drop at a time,” Phan added.

Since its establishment in 2019 by the French NGO 1001fontaines, Owe Water has been dedicated to providing families with daily access to clean, purified water for better health.

Beyond its commitment to affordability and quality, Owe Water actively supports the local community. The company extends aid to those most in need, including orphanages, waste collectors, COVID-19 health centres, and underprivileged families identified by local authorities.

With the goal of reaching seven million vulnerable people by 2030, Owe Water is striving to be the preferred drinking water provider for families in Ho Chi Minh City and its surrounding areas. Owe Water's strategy is to expand and strengthen its social impact, reaching an increasing number of vulnerable communities year after year.

Over the past two decades, Vietnam's economic growth has significantly reduced poverty and improved access to basic water services. However, the country still faces increasing challenges when it comes to drinking water quality.

Tap water remains unreliable largely due to unstable raw water sources, with pollution becoming a major threat, especially in urban areas. This has contributed to what experts describe as an "invisible water crisis". Poor wastewater management and saltwater intrusion further worsen the quality of raw water.

Vietnam's bottled water market has also expanded rapidly in response to rising demand. However, the market is highly fragmented and poorly regulated, leading to inconsistent product quality among suppliers.

A 2022 UNICEF study, which tested over 12,000 drinking water samples, found that in Ho Chi Minh City, 41 per cent were contaminated with E. coli, a faecal bacterium that poses significant health risks.

This crisis impacts first and foremost vulnerable communities. In suburban areas, 75 per cent of low-income households rely on inexpensive, low-quality water jugs, as they cannot afford safer, higher-quality options. This situation highlights the urgent need for affordable and accessible clean drinking water for everyone.

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