Fanjove Island, located off the southern coast of Tanzania, is a pristine, off-grid island known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and marine biodiversity. Part of the Songo Songo Archipelago, it has become a haven for eco-tourism. But while its beauty draws travelers from around the world, one challenge remained constant: water.
Until recently, Fanjove relied on rainwater harvesting and expensive deliveries of bottled water from the mainland. These solutions were not only logistically challenging and inconsistent, but also environmentally unsustainable.
To address this, a new solution has been installed — a solar-powered desalination system developed by Elemental Water Makers, a company pioneering sustainable water technologies for remote locations. This system converts seawater into fresh, drinkable water using solar energy and no chemicals, making it ideal for environmentally sensitive areas like Fanjove.
We were proud to collaborate on this project by delivering and installing the entire system on-site. Our team handled the full integration: from laying out the solar panel array, to installing the desalination equipment, and ensuring the elevated water storage tanks were secure and operational.
The results speak for themselves:
- 💧 44 cubic meters/day of clean fresh water
- ☀️ 120 kWh/day of solar-powered energy use
- 🌱 80% energy savings over traditional desalination
- 💨 88 tons/year of CO₂ savings
- 🚫 Chemical-free & low maintenance
At the heart of the system is Elemental Water Makers’ energy-efficient reverse osmosis technology, which recovers energy from water pressure to drastically reduce power consumption. Combined with solar PV and a smart storage setup, the system provides continuous access to fresh water without relying on diesel generators or grid access.
The environmental benefits are significant. Fanjove Island can now provide water for its resort guests and staff without harming the fragile ecosystem or relying on fossil fuels. This enhances both operational resilience and the island’s commitment to sustainability.
It’s a model that could be replicated on other off-grid islands and coastal communities facing water scarcity. By combining Elemental Water Makers’ innovative design with skilled local installation, projects like this prove that clean water access can go hand-in-hand with climate-friendly development.
We’re honoured to have played a part in bringing this system online and supporting Fanjove Island’s eco-tourism mission.
Learn more about Elemental Water Makers at
🌐 www.elementalwatermakers.com
And if you’re exploring off-grid water solutions in Tanzania, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
