Hygienic and safe treatment of drinking water is a decisive factor in health and disease prevention. However, more than a fifth of the world's population has no access to clean water. In 2002 GF created a foundation to help alleviate this dramatic situation. To celebrate the company’s 200th birthday, shareholders agreed to give up an anniversary dividend so that the company could support the Clean Water Foundation with a contribution of 3.5 million Swiss francs. Since then, GF has demonstrated its long-term commitment: by the end of 2007, it had donated five million Swiss francs for 60 projects the world over. This has given 120,000 people better access to drinking water. Believing firmly in the value of this programme, the Corporation stands by its commitment. On the fifth anniversary of Clean Water in 2007, GF developed an informative travelling exhibition which is now being shown at many of the Corporation's sites.

In 2007, GF supported a total of ten Clean Water projects in nine countries, donating 700,000 Swiss francs.

Some examples:

Bosnia (Gorazde)
In Goradze, GF supported the repair of piping systems for a school, the outpatient clinic and the post office, donating 35,000 Swiss francs. The water supply infrastructure had been destroyed during the war in the 1990s. The Mettmann-Goradze Friendship Association coordinated the project locally. The Association counts many active and former GF employees amongst its members. Gorazde’s town council awarded GF Automotive foundry in Mettmann a certificate of thanks for its special services to the town.

Kosovo (Studenica)
Kosovo too is still suffering from the aftermath of a civil war. Studenica in the commune of Istog did have a water supply but it ended before reaching the village. The construction of a 3,8 km long circular pipeline has now linked up the town's residential area to the water supply. The agreement was signed in July 2007, and the work was completed by the end of August 2007. On 12 September the pipeline was handed over to the commune at a special ceremony which Remy Limpach, Head of Sales, Southeast Europe at GF Piping Systems, attended.

Nepal
Nicole Thakuri-Wick, a Swiss, has been living and working in Nepal since 1994. Together with her husband and other workers, she runs an orphanage for some 150 children along with an affiliated school for a further 135 children. To replace temporary accommodation, with the help of a Swiss support committee she purchased an empty factory building, which is being converted into an orphanage and school for 500 children. GF is contributing 64,000 francs to finance the drinking water supply for the orphanage and school.

Surinam (Lebidoti)
The village of Lebidoti is inhabited by 900 members of the Aukaan tribe. GF is donating some 65,000 Swiss francs to support a project for the treatment of contaminated water so that it is again fit for human use. The local project partner is the Rotary Club of Paramribo. The project is being supported and promoted by the Managing Director of the Georg Fischer subsidiary Waga in the Netherlands.