AKP Phnom Penh, February 26, 2026 -- iDE Cambodia today transferred ownership of Hydrologic Social Enterprise Co., Ltd. to its local management team, transitioning the iconic Tunsai water filter manufacturer into a fully independent, Cambodian-owned company. 

In Cambodia, iDE (International Development Enterprises) is a prominent international non-profit organisation that uses a market-based approach to fight poverty. 

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.

Originally incubated as a clean-water programme 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.

What began as a grant-funded programme is now a commercially viable Cambodian enterprise improving public health, protecting the environment, and creating local jobs., said Michael Roberts, CEO of iDE. 

"It reflects the success of Cambodian leadership and the power of market-based development to solve social challenges,” he said. 

Hydrologic transitions to independent Cambodian ownership under the leadership of Ms. Sam Sothea who has played a pivotal role in the company's development. 

Ms. Sam 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. 

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 Ms. Sothea. 

Over the years, Hydrologic has partnered with organisations including Danone Communities, Nexus for Development, Whitten & Roy Partnership, and Aqua for All to strengthen its technical capacity and commercial growth.

By Chea Vannak