THE DAN CAN

Lifeline’s novel and common-sense solution to improve water quality for 800 Million people across Sub-Saharan Africa

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The Problem

More often than not, water that is safe when collected is contaminated when consumed. 

Water box image.

The Culprit: The plastic jerry can

Two women with their bicycles holding water boxes.

The plastic jerry can is the dominant means of transporting water in Africa, but…

Water boxes.

it was designed to carry oil, not water and…

Bacteria image.

jerry can interior

its small opening prevents proper cleaning, inevitably leading to bacterial growth.

The Solution

A cleanable jerry can

Jerry can image.
Jerry can image.

A carve out at the bottom of the can.

Jerry can image.

A rugged and water-tight screw cap.

Jerry can image.

A  circular opening wide enough to put a hand in and clean with a sponge

With a circular opening at the bottom that is wide-enough to put a hand through, the “Dan Can” makes cleaning simple and effective – minimizing the risk of recontamination for hundreds of millions of people.

Competitive Costing Enables Impact at Scale

The Jerry Can

Jerry can image.

$2.50 - $3.50

Dan Can

Dan can image.

$2.75 - $4.00 

 “A person who would refuse the Dan Can is a person who wants to spread disease within the village. Everyone must have this new can.” 

– Isaac O., Kwania District, Uganda