Our Story
From research at Cornell University to community-scale impact.
2005 — Where It Began
AguaClara’s earliest technologies were developed at Cornell University through a student-based research program, founded by Dr. Monroe Weber-Shirk. The program set out to create durable, gravity-powered drinking water treatment systems for resource-limited communities while keeping its research and technology openly accessible.
2013 — Expanding Reach
AguaClara LLC, a certified B Corporation founded by Cornell graduates, extended the implementation of AguaClara technology beyond Honduras, including early work in India. Its work demonstrated the potential for AguaClara’s approach to reach communities in new contexts.
2017 — AguaClara Reach
Founder May Sharif, P.E. established AguaClara Reach as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, building on the previous work of AguaClara LLC and expanding the mission of bringing safe drinking water to communities around the world.
2020 — A Broader Strategy
AguaClara Reach expanded its strategy to strengthen both technology development and long-term implementation support.
Providing state-of-the-art designs for municipal drinking water treatment plants and technical support to Implementation Partners (see AIDE)
Advising faculty and student teams to foster continuous innovation and improved drinking water treatment technologies (see RIDE).
Today — A Growing Network
Today, AguaClara Reach works with research and implementation partners including Cornell University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Ohio State University to advance innovation and expand access to sustainable water treatment solutions.
The Story Continues
AguaClara Reach continues to build on two decades of research, partnerships, and real-world implementation as it expands its work into new communities, regions, and opportunities for sustainable safe water access.
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