About
WaterStep is a nonprofit organization (NGO) based in Louisville, Kentucky, that focuses on sustainable solutions to the world's water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) crisis. Since 1995, the organization has evolved from a small service organization into a global provider of safe water solutions, developing simple tools, patented technology, and training that empower people and communities to solve their own water and sanitation needs — especially in slums, rural villages, and communities responding to natural and manmade disasters.
What they do
WaterStep describes its approach, called WATER 360, as adapting solutions to the country, community, climate, and culture of each location. Its work combines safe water and disinfectant technology with health and hygiene education, delivered through two core programs:
- WASHUp Program — focuses on immediate water access and sanitation solutions, equipping communities with the knowledge and tools to maintain safe water practices.
- WaterRelief Program — provides strategic responses to water crises, with rapid deployment of the organization's technology in emergency and disaster situations.
The organization emphasizes community-driven solutions (starting by listening to communities), scalable technology that works from single households to government-level projects, end-to-end support using patented technology developed and manufactured in-house, and programs refined through feedback from the field.
Scale and impact
Figures published by WaterStep on its website:
- More than 15 million lives impacted through safe water solutions.
- 72 countries served since its founding in 1995.
- More than 5,000 projects completed.
- Disaster responses worldwide, including hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and conflict zones — recent field stories include work in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa, Pakistan, Uganda, and South Sudan.
WaterStep's recognitions listed on its site include Denmark's Sustainia Top 100 award, an Environmental Protection Product of the Year award from the EPA, a Federal Labs Consortium CRADA Success Award with the U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, and the Theodore Roosevelt Government Leadership Award.
Financials
According to IRS Form 990 data for the fiscal year ending December 2024 (via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer), WaterStep reported total revenue of 2,687,454 dollars, total expenses of 2,627,375 dollars, and net assets of 2,306,626 dollars. Contributions accounted for about 58 percent of total revenue. The organization has been recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS since October 1995.
Governance
WaterStep was founded and is led by CEO Mark Hogg. Its executive team includes Chief Operating Officer Kellie Moore and Chief Program Officer Zac Tossou, among others. The board of directors is chaired by Scott Haner, with Ray Dickison as vice chair, Garrison Cox as secretary, and Keith Phillips as treasurer.