Report on the Potential for Positive Impact on Water Resources in Hu’u, Sumbawa, Indonesia.
Hu’u, a locality in Sumbawa, Indonesia, faces significant water-related challenges. Nationwide, Indonesia struggles with access to potable water and sanitation. According to the World Bank, 72% of the population has access to safely managed drinking water, while only 47% benefits from adequate sanitation infrastructure.
In rural areas like Hu’u, these figures are even lower due to limited infrastructure and the geographical dispersion of communities. Deforestation and land-use changes have negatively impacted local water sources, reducing the availability of both surface and groundwater. Over-extraction of groundwater has led to saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers, further deteriorating the available water quality.
A major challenge is insufficient wastewater management, especially in rural areas where proper sanitation systems are lacking. This leads to water pollution and an increased prevalence of waterborne diseases. Tackling these issues requires a holistic approach to water stewardship, emphasizing investment in wastewater treatment infrastructure, sustainable land management, and targeted community education programs.
The watershed registered as Java (541) is listed in the UN Global Compact’s Water Action Hub under the CEO Water Mandate, as part of the 100 Priority Basins—a global index that identifies watersheds with the highest potential for collective action based on economic relevance and shared water risk. Inclusion in this list offers a strategic advantage: it attracts international funding, facilitates global partnerships, and increases the potential for implementing large-scale, high-impact water solutions.
This recognition also positions the project as a structured investment opportunity, encouraging stakeholders to engage through a scalable, results-oriented framework rather than through fragmented or isolated interventions.
Why Water Positive is Transformative for a Project Like Harapan.
The Water Positive initiative represents an evolution of the traditional water access model, integrating impact investing principles to ensure that water solutions are not only sustainable but also generate measurable social, environmental, and financial returns.
Unlike philanthropic or mitigation-focused approaches, Water Positive is structured as an investment in a regenerative economy, where water is not only used efficiently but is also returned to the ecosystem in better conditions. This makes it a scalable, replicable, and financially attractive model for businesses, governments, and impact investors.
Water Positive transforms how businesses and communities interact with water resources, aligning incentives among all stakeholders to ensure tangible and lasting impact. In this model, the offtaker, whether a community, industry, or municipality— gains access to a water solution without bearing the full financial burden. At the same time, corporations invest in these projects not only to mitigate risks in their supply chains but also as part of an investment strategy that strengthens operational resilience and sustainability positioning. The developer, in turn, does not merely implement the infrastructure but commits to ensuring long-term impact through continuous monitoring and management mechanisms. Project developers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between these three key stakeholders. By structuring and implementing sustainable water solutions, they ensure that projects are effectively managed, create measurable impact, and provide long-term benefits for both communities and industries. There are multiple studies analyzing why large-scale donations sometimes fail to achieve the expected impact, even when they are transparent. Common reasons include:
Aqua Positive specializes in structuring these opportunities effectively, ensuring that funding translates into long-term, measurable water-positive impact through strategic planning, proper implementation, and rigorous evaluation mechanisms.
Why Water Matters in Hu’u
Water is a cross-cutting element across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the region has received or may continue to receive funding, the key challenge lies in the efficiency of resource implementation, as current outcomes reflect this reality. The following section outlines how generating a positive impact on water resources can significantly benefit this region.
To achieve this, the challenge must be approached as a catalytic community, where the positive impacts of each SDG reinforce one another, with a special focus on education as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development.
Water Resources and Challenges
Hu’u faces severe water quality and availability challenges, particularly due to groundwater overuse, pollution, and inadequate wastewater management. However, strategic interventions in water quality improvement, sustainable resource use, infrastructure enhancement, and community education can significantly mitigate these challenges.
By integrating local knowledge, industrial cooperation, and sustainable water management strategies, Hu’u has the potential to develop a more resilient water system that benefits both communities and industries in the long term. Moreover, the outlined strategies offer a unique opportunity for public and private stakeholders to collaborate on structured, impactful solutions that not only address immediate concerns but also build long-term resilience. Investment in water-positive infrastructure, innovative financing models, and science-based water stewardship can transform Hu’u into a benchmark for sustainable water management in similar regions worldwide. The focus must go beyond mitigation to address root causes, ensuring long-term, systemic solutions that drive true development rather than temporary fixes.
Education plays a critical role in achieving sustainable water management. As we have emphasized, water is transversal to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet our analysis has highlighted the paramount importance of SDG 4 (Quality Education) in addressing water-related issues. Water and education are closely interconnected, as the lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities (SDG 6) significantly impacts educational opportunities and outcomes. Inadequate water and sanitation conditions in schools negatively affect students’ health (SDG 3), leading to increased absenteeism and lower academic performance, ultimately restricting access to quality education (SDG 4).
Furthermore, we must educate future generations about water-related issues. Many of the water problems humanity faces today stem from a lack of understanding among decision-makers. It is crucial to teach the next generation of leaders to differentiate water by its quality rather than its source. Strengthening educational programs around water and sustainability will enable a more informed workforce that can contribute to long-term, science-based solutions for global water challenges.
Investing in water infrastructure not only creates new employment opportunities but also fosters knowledge development in water resource management, training plant operators, water technicians, and sustainability professionals. Additionally, these investments support local capacity-building, improve community resilience, and encourage innovation in water stewardship. Traditional mitigation approaches alone do not resolve this situation; instead, it is crucial to focus on capacity-building and local knowledge transfer A great example of this is the Agua Doce program in Brazil, which has developed over 500 localities under this development model, integrating environmental, social, and governance principles in a triple-impact approach. This initiative demonstrates how holistic, long-term solutions can drive regional transformation. Teaching communities and professionals how to operate and maintain water treatment plants ensures long-term sustainability. Moreover, these investments should be integrated into the broader development of the region, fostering economic growth, employment, and technical expertise rather than serving as mere temporary relief measures.
The project in Hu’u, Sumbawa, Indonesia, has direct and indirect impacts on multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Below, I outline which SDGs are met, which are not applicable, and why:
SDG 1 (No Poverty) – Improving access to clean water and sanitation reduces disease and enhances quality of life, facilitating economic development in the community.
SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) – Safe water availability is essential for agriculture and food security, benefiting food production.
SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) – Reducing water contamination and improving sanitation lowers waterborne diseases, improving public health.
SDG 4 (Quality Education) – The project highlights that access to clean water and proper sanitation in schools reduces absenteeism and improves academic performance. Additionally, water education is crucial for long-term sustainability.
SDG 5 (Gender Equality) – Women and girls are often responsible for water collection. Improving access reduces this burden and promotes gender equality.
SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) – This is the most directly impacted SDG, as the project focuses on improving water management, reducing pollution, and optimizing usage.
SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) – The project can integrate renewable energy to operate water systems, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing the sustainability of water solutions.
SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) – Investing in water infrastructure creates jobs and improves productivity in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) – Rural communities like Hu’u often lack access to essential services. This project helps bridge that gap.
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) – Improving water management makes human settlements more resilient and sustainable.
SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) – The project promotes efficient water use, recycling, and pollution reduction, fostering sustainable practices.
SDG 13 (Climate Action) – Over-extraction and water pollution are exacerbated by climate change. Addressing these issues contributes to climate resilience.
SDG 14 (Life Below Water) – Reducing pollution and implementing sustainable water management protects marine ecosystems by preventing contaminants from reaching the ocean.
SDG 15 (Life on Land) – Preventing over-extraction and deforestation helps protect terrestrial ecosystems.
SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) – Sustainable water management can reduce conflicts over water resources and strengthen local institutions.
SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) – The project fosters collaboration between communities, businesses, and institutions, aligning with this SDG.
To drive meaningful change, a comprehensive approach integrating multiple strategies is essential. These include:
Implementing these measures will create a more resilient and self-sustaining water management system, ensuring long-term benefits for both the local population and regional ecosystems.
From Philanthropy to Impact Investment:
What began as a philanthropic partnership between HP and the Real Madrid Foundation; focused on digital inclusion and youth development—is now evolving into a Water Positive strategy in collaboration with Aqua Positive. By integrating regenerative water solutions into community empowerment efforts, this initiative in Hu’u transitions from short-term aid to a structured impact investment model.
Through this shift, HP and Real Madrid are not only supporting education and inclusion but, together with Aqua Positive, are transforming the initiative into a platform for long-term investment in the resilience of local ecosystems and communities. Aqua Positive brings the Water Positive framework to structure the project as an impact investment opportunity, enabling other stakeholders to invest in measurable, regenerative water outcomes. This represents a new model where technology, sport, and water stewardship converge—not just to assist, but to regenerate at scale.
This strategic evolution is especially relevant given the local water challenges faced by the Hu’u region. The following report outlines the environmental context and the potential for scalable, positive water impact.
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