The P&G CSDW Timeline
The CSDW Program, with the help from more than 150 partners around the world, has delivered more than 20 billion liters of clean water in 90+ countries. This innovative technology was invented by a P&G laundry scientist and developed in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been many milestones in the evolution of this program, and this timeline captures some of the key moments.
P&G begins collaboration with the CDC to explore filtration technologies.
1995
First test markets launched in 2001 and 2002 in Guatemala and the Philippines.
2001
First peer-reviewed paper published.
2003
CDC collaboration/multiple clinical studies published.
Established CSDW Program as not-for-profit in collaboration with NGOs, governments and other companies.
Southeast Asia tsunami becomes the first major CSDW emergency response.
2004
Stockholm International Water Institute honors CSDW with the Industry Water Award.
2005
Children’s Environmental Health Excellence Award, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for outstanding leadership in protecting children from environmental risk.
2007
The Program surpasses 1 billion liters.
Top Ten “Breakthroughs to Change the World”, Popular Mechanics Magazine called the technology a “miracle powder” to help with the water crisis.
Joely Richardson visits Malawi as part of Ariel’s “Be Water Wise” initiative.
2008
Summit on the summit – climbing Kilimanjaro to bring focus to the world’s water crisis.
2009
Brands like Pampers, SKII and Pantene support CSDW efforts through in-store promotions.
2010
CSDW sachets are rebranded from PUR to P&G Purifier of Water.
2011
The CSDW Program celebrates its 5 billion liter milestone.
Production site of packets moves from Pakistan to Singapore.
2012
The first customer ASDA campaign begins in the UK.
CSDW wins patent for humanity award.
CSDW begins a new campaign with Walmart.
Receives the “Patent for Humanity” award from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
2013
Mel C visits Ghana to see firsthand how clean water transforms communities.
Canadian actor and director Jason Priestley joins as an ambassador to build awareness of the global drinking water crisis and helps raise donations to support 25 million days of clean water.
2014
P&G Purifier of Water classified by the World Health Organization as providing “Comprehensive Protection” as defined by the International Scheme to Evaluate Household Water Treatment (HWT) Technologies.
2015
The CSDW Program celebrates its 10 billion liter milestone.
The program has provided clean water to people in more than 85 countries.
2016
P&G partners with National Geographic on “The Power of Clean Water” documentary.
2018
The CSDW Program celebrates its 15 billion liter milestone.
CSDW becomes Walmart’s International Cause of the Year.
CSDW is featured in National Geographic’s “Activate” series.
YouTuber Mark Rober features CSDW in his video “Drinking Nasty Swamp Water (to save the world)”.
2019
P&G works with multiple partners in Latin America to bring clean water to communities impacted by Hurricanes Eta and Iota.
2020