Hippo Roller

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The Hippo Water Roller was developed in 1991 by two South Africans in response to the daily struggle of rural women and children across Africa to access safe, drinkable water.
The Hippo Water Roller makes more water and time available for education, household tasks and food production.
Hippo Roller is a social enterprise with simple ideas to change lives in water-stressed communities, offering social investment, fundraising and donor options.
Our story

The Hippo Water Roller makes more water and time available for education, household tasks and food production enabling people to transport up to five times more water to their homes and food gardens

The Hippo Water Roller was developed in 1991 by two South Africans in response to the daily struggle of rural women and children across Africa to access safe, drinkable water. The award-winning technology is a distinctive portable water innovation that enables rural communities to transport water more easily and in less time than with traditional methods.

“The introduction of Hippo rollers in WFP supported primary schools significantly reduced the daily burden on women and children…” - UN World Food Program

Our Core Values

WE IMPROVE ACCESS TO WATER

Hippo Roller works with rural and impoverished communities to help improve access to water. Our innovation makes more water and time available for education, household tasks and food production, enabling people to transport up to 5 x more water to their homes and food gardens.

WE PROMOTE SOCIAL INVESTMENT

To make a durable and maintenance free solution for daily use in tough rural terrain is costly. We provide social investment and fundraising opportunities for NGO’s, government, corporations, and individuals to purchase Hippo Water Rollers for those who need them most, but typically cannot afford them.

WE GROW A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

Hippo Roller is a social enterprise that facilitates the distribution of its products to water-stressed communities, while addressing the challenge of end-user affordability. It has a hybrid business model to ensure its economic and social sustainability.

WE PROVIDE APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY

The Hippo Roller is an immediate and appropriate response to the issues surrounding water access and food security with broad social impact. It is widely accepted in many countries by water-stressed communities.

The Hippo Water Roller Features

The 90 litre Hippo Water Roller is a strong and durable barrel-shaped container equipped with a steel handle with which it can be pushed or pulled. The design of the Hippo Water Roller allows water to be placed ‘inside the wheel’ so that the weight is borne on the ground and distributed over a wide rolling surface.

Effective & Efficient

The effective weight of the 90 kg drum is just 10 kg when pushed or rolled on level ground, making it very user friendly for women, children and the physically weak.

  • Carries 90 litres (5 x buckets)
  • Large opening for easy cleaning
  • Hygienic storage of water

Proven Durability

Specifically designed for daily use in tough rural conditions, including uneven surfaces, gravel roads and sharp stones. It has a long lifespan of 5 – 10 years.

  • Thick drum wall – no joints
  • UV-stabilised polyethylene
  • Strong electroplated steel handle

Maintenance-Free

Its maintenance-free design requires no replacement parts and promotes continuous daily use in rural and economically poor communities.

  • Screw cap wears in – not out
  • No rubber seals which perish
  • No spare parts required
Our expertises
  • Africa | East
  • Africa | Middle
  • Africa | South
  • Africa | West

South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Get in touch
LinkedIn:
120 Runnymead Avenue, Chartwell, South Africa, South Africa, Africa

Get in contact with us and send an open job application by showing your skills and work experience. Many thanks for your interest!