4°C AQUA PROGRAM 2025-2026 Begins!

AQUA PROGRAM 2024-2025 AMAMIZU system installation

What is AQUA PRGRAM?

AQUA PROGRAM is a joint project of jewelry brand 4°C and the Japan Water Forum. It aims to bring beauty and inspiration to women in developing countries who face serious water and hygiene challenges, by addressing water issues. Since its establishment in 2008, projects have been carried out in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Republic of Kiribati. The current series of projects in Morrelganj, Bangladesh began in 2017. Unlike in an urban setting, water supply pipeline systems are absent in the project areas, and it is unlikely that these rural areas will have such systems implemented in the near future. Our ongoing challenge is to provide rainwater harvesting AMAMIZU systems for securing access to safe drinking water.

▼AQUA PROGRAM official website▼

AQUA PROGRAM contributes to the achievement of the following SDGs:

Outline of 4℃ AQUA PROGRAM 2025-2026

１）Project Site

Ward No-5, Uttar Sutalori Village, Baraikhali Union, Morrelganj Upazila, Bagerhat District, Khulna Division, Bangladesh

Khulna Division:
The arrow indicates Uttar Sutalori Village

２）Project Period

From December 2025 to August 2026

３）Local Partner

Skywater Bangladesh Ltd.

https://skywaterbangladesh.com/home/

４） Background

Morrelganj Upazila, in Bagerhat District, Khulna Division, is a rural area located on the southwestern coast of Bangladesh. It has a population of 300,000. Baraikhali Union in Morrelganj Upazila has three villages. The AQUA PROGRAM 2025-2026 project target area is Uttar Sutalori Village Ward No-5, with 625 households and a population of 3,152. Women and children in the community are the most affected by water problems, as they bear the burden of securing drinking water. Drinking poor-quality water often causes water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, entailing additional medical costs for families who already suffer from poor income in this farming community.

Over a period of nine years, from 2016 to 2024, AQUA PROGRAM installed rainwater harvesting AMAMIZU systems in Goalbaria and Uttar Sutalori villages in Bagerhat District for 355 households (1,649 beneficiaries). In Ward No-4, we were able to support 300 households out of a total of 630.

５）Project Plan

We will conduct a basic information survey of 150 households in Ward No-5 to determine eligible beneficiaries and install rainwater harvesting AMAMIZU tank systems in 18 households, enabling the storage of rainwater for drinking purposes. Furthermore, the villagers will be trained to use, maintain, and manage the systems appropriately so that they can operate them for themselves.

【Main activities】

Conduct a basic information survey of 150 households in Ward No-5.
Install rainwater harvesting AMAMIZU tank systems in eligible households.
Conduct training in usage, maintenance and management of the rainwater harvesting system.
Conduct knowledge and experience workshops among new beneficiary households in Ward No-5 and owner households.
Follow-ups: Status review and guidance on usage, maintenance and management, as well as quality testing of the rainwater stored in the systems.

６）Beneficiaries

　18 households, about 80 people

７） Potential Impacts

Women and children will be freed from the burden of collecting water from distant sources.
People in the rural community will be able to access safe drinking water by utilizing rainwater.
Expenses related to medication and medical treatment for water-borne diseases caused by poor drinking water will be reduced.