Press Release: iDE Announces Sale of Social Enterprise that Provides Water Filters
Sale of Cambodian Woman-Led Enterprise Helps Zero Out Poverty
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 2, 2026 — iDE Cambodia today announced the successful sale of Hydrologic Social Enterprise Co. Ltd. to the company’s management, marking the transition of the iconic Tunsai water filter manufacturer into a fully independent, Cambodian company.
The milestone represents a new chapter in the 15-year evolution of one of Cambodia’s most impactful social enterprises and reinforces iDE’s commitment to women entrepreneurs, rural enterprise development, and inclusive economic growth. It is also a powerful example of a market-based initiative zeroing out poverty and solving an enduring social challenge. Here, iDE set up a social enterprise, helped hundreds of thousands of people gain access to life-saving water filters and then sold the enterprise, which will continue to benefit low-income Cambodian's across the southeast Asian nation.
Originally incubated as a clean-water program by iDE in 2001, Hydrologic was established at a time when unsafe water and poor sanitation were linked to up to 10,000 deaths annually in Cambodia, most of them children under the age of 5. In 2010, iDE formally registered the initiative as a social enterprise, which has since grown into a profitable manufacturer delivering affordable, high-quality safe water solutions nationwide.
The made-in-Cambodia Tunsai ceramic water filter meets international standards and removes 99.99 percent of bacteria. Water samples are regularly tested at accredited laboratories to ensure consistent quality. Since becoming a social enterprise, Hydrologic has sold more than 700,000 locally-manufactured filters across rural Cambodia, improving the lives of more than 2 million people and demonstrating that Cambodian products can meet global standards while solving critical social challenges.
Beyond improving public health, the Tunsai filter contributes to environmental protection. By reducing the need to boil water with firewood or charcoal, it cuts an estimated 80,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and helps preserve local forests. Hydrologic generates part of its revenue through carbon credits issued by the Gold Standard certifying body, based on verified emission reductions. As one of the first clean water enterprises in Asia to secure carbon certification, the company reinvests this revenue into product quality improvements and far-reaching rural distribution.
“Hydrologic’s journey shows the power of market-based solutions to deliver lasting impact,” said Michael Roberts, interim CEO of iDE. “What began as a grant-funded program is now a commercially viable Cambodian enterprise improving public health, protecting the environment, and creating local jobs. The sale of Hydrologic to its management represents more than a business transition. It reflects the success of Cambodian leadership and the power of market-based development to solve social challenges.”
With this sale, Hydrologic transitions to independent Cambodian ownership under the leadership of Sam Sothea who has played a pivotal role in the company’s development. Sothea began as Hydrologic’s finance head before becoming general manager in 2021. She has led Hydrologic’s market expansion, strengthened its trusted national brand, and maintained financial sustainability. Today, the company operates a manufacturing facility in Kampong Chhnang province, supporting local employment and strengthening domestic supply chains.
“As an independent Cambodian company, we’re ready to expand into new markets, attract new investment, and continue collaborating with iDE and other partners,” said Sothea. “Our mission remains clear: delivering high-quality, affordable safe water to every home while building a strong and ethical Cambodian enterprise.”
Over the years, Hydrologic has partnered with organizations including Danone Communities, Nexus for Development, Whitten & Roy Partnership, and Aqua for All to strengthen its technical capacity and commercial growth. The transition of Hydrologic to local ownership demonstrates iDE Cambodia’s strategy for sustainable, enterprise-led development in Cambodia, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond donor support.
Contact: Tet Chann, senior communications manager, iDE Cambodia
Email: tchann@ideglobal.org, Telephone: 011 276 775
About iDE
iDE’s mission is to end global poverty. The organization believes that catalyzing the power of local markets is the best way to do this. We work with local entrepreneurs who connect underserved, last-mile markets with products and services that enable people to move up the economic ladder. Specifically, our global strategy aims to power one million women entrepreneurs to foster prosperity in their communities for 100 million people. To do this, iDE is working in the sectors of agriculture, WASH, and nutrition across 12 countries, and to date, we’ve impacted more than 44 million people. To learn more, visit www.ide.org
About Hydrologic
Hydrologic is a for-profit social enterprise that manufactures, distributes, and sells Tunsai ceramic water filters in Cambodia. The company combines commercial sustainability with measurable social and environmental impact.