Greif PackH2O Water Backpack

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$10.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, NGOs

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Greif worked closely with professional organisations such as USAID, the Clinton Global Initiative, and Habitat for Humanity International to develop the product. The company partners with NGOs and other organisations including Partners for Care to distribute the packs.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Wello WaterWheel, Q Drum, and Hippo Water Roller.

Regions

Worldwide

Manufacturing/Building Method

Mass produced in Turkey by Greif.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

Greif partners with locally established NGOs that distribute the PackH2Os and train users in how to use and sterilise them.

Distributions to Date Status

As of 2018, approximately 225,000 units have been distributed.

Design Specifications

The backpack can hold up to 20 L of water. It is designed to be adjusted to the size and strength of the user, distributing the weight evenly. A wide opening allows for quick filling of the pack while the roll-down top and protected spout reduces water loss and contamination of the water. The pack is made from industrial-grade flexible woven polyethylene with a removable PET inner liner which can be sanitised in the sun. The pack is UV resistant, leak proof and puncture resistant. It is 7 times lighter and smaller than typical plastic jerry cans.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Greif's NGO partners provide training and education on how to use the PackH2O.

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The designers aim to provide a means to safe water transportation and storage. 

Vetted Performance Status

MIT D-Lab conducted a study in 2014 to investigate water collection, transport, storage and treatment in Kenya and to gain an understanding of PackH2O usage. Their study found that the majority of PackH2O recipients used the pack mainly, or solely, for water storage. Research conducted by Andrea Martinsen et al. into the use of the PackH2O in rural Haiti concluded that after 6 months, the pack was not widely used by recipients to collect water with many considering it too heavy and difficult to carry compared to traditional head-loading methods. The study proposes that it may be more useful in emergency situations or in communities where loads are traditionally carried on the back, however, more research would be needed.

Safety

Collected water may sometimes contain contaminants and harmful bacteria. The pack does not treat any harmful substances that may be present in the water, although the liner can be disinfected once the water is removed from the pack.

The backpack may be heavy when full so training should be provided by distributing organisations.

Complementary Technical Systems

Disinfection tablets, filters, or any other means of water purification may be used to ensure safe, potable water.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Evaluation methods

Greif conducted field surveys, and used the information to provide multiple iterations of the design to create the current product.

MIT D-Lab conducted a 5 week needs assessment in Kenya in 2014, using a variety of qualitative methods to collect information.

Andrea L. Martinsen et al. conducted a 6 month evaluation in Haiti in 2014/15, to assess both self-reported and observed use of the pack in over 400 households.