8 Questions for 8 Years: An interview with Wateroam’s CEO, David Pong

 Have you heard of it? Wateroam has completed its 8-year journey on August 2022. To celebrate the company’s accomplishments thus far, I sit down with Wateroam’s co-founder and CEO, David Pong to learn about the company’s major milestones and proudest moments.

Image: David Pong, Co-founder and CEO of Wateroam

​1. Talk to us about your favorite “first” of Wateroam.

Image: Wateroam's first prototype deployed for Flood Relief in Kelantan, Malaysia (2014/2015)

​David: Our first major product deployment saw the team being activated on the evening of New Year’s Eve in 2014. A flood had just happened in Malaysia and a partner NGO was about to head over to provide urgent aid relief the very next day. Our team readily dropped our new year’s eve plans, rushed down to the logistics centre, provided the NGO with our filters and conducted product training. By the time we completed the training late at night, we had a countdown together into the new year and marked a new beginning for Wateroam’s journey of impacting the world through clean water!

​2. What did Wateroam’s first water filter look like? Describe the product development journey from the first launch to the most recent launch.

David: Our first water filter looked like a huge rectangular metal box that weighed more than 40kg. Although it did well with filtration, its bulkiness caused one of our team members to hurt his back while carrying it over challenging terrain. This taught us the importance of designing a product with “backpack-able” portability and one that is capable of swift deployment. After more than 20 iterations and engaging users for feedback, we drew inspiration from the humble bicycle pump to come up with the flagship ROAMfilter Plus design. Today, the ROAMfilter Plus is a simple-to-use and quick-to-deploy filtration solution wherever you roam. Do keep a lookout as we’ll be launching the upgraded ROAMfilter Plus 2.0 soon!

Image: Wateroam’s first Prototype

3. Who, according to you, is the backbone of Wateroam? ​

Image: Family, the Backbone of Wateroam

David: This definitely goes to the collective Wateroam family of current team members, former team members, interns and mentors. Wateroam would not have been possible without each and everyone of your contribution. All of you have seen us through the ups and downs and have never failed to encourage us through it. You’ve devoted your time and skills to making the impact on the ground a reality. We look forward to catching up with you in our next gathering. ​

4. Walk us through your vision of where you see the company in the next 8 years.

David: The Wateroam team will continue to faithfully pursue our vision of building a world without prolonged thirst. There remains 2 billion people in the world without access to safely managed drinking water at home. We will be expanding our suite of solutions and researching into technologies that can accelerate the world’s effort in providing equal access to clean drinking water for all. ​

5. What are some of the major milestones of Wateroam?  

David: Wateroam was recognized as the global winner of the water category at the Zayed Sustainability Prize earlier in Jan 2022. We’re humbled to be recognized at such an international platform and thankful for many achievements and opportunities to deploy our water filtration solutions in more than 40 countries in the past 8 years! ​

Image: Wateroam’s Early Day Milestones 

6. What’s one thing you miss the most when looking back at the beginnings of your career at Wateroam? 

Image: Wateroam Communities in Sabah enjoying clean water

David: In our early years of Wateroam, we didn’t have an office yet so we worked at any table we could find at the National University of Singapore (NUS). I remember fondly about how we would all squeeze into one table in the food court to conduct our team meetings amidst the aroma of food that lingered around us. We’ve definitely missed being on campus and working alongside hardworking NUS students! ​

7. If you could go back in time, what’s one piece of advice you would give yourself 8 years ago? 

Image: David living with villagers in Malaysia

David: The journey of social entrepreneurship is not always an easy ride but perseverance and teamwork will be key to overcoming the obstacles. As a Nigerian writer, Ifeanyi, once said, “Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results.” Hence, don’t underestimate a group of common people coming together in commitment to tackle a difficult problem! ​

8. Do you have any message for the team on this wonderful occasion?  

Image: Giving a young girl a light lift

David: To our current Wateroam team, I am deeply grateful to be working with each one of you as we travel through the thick and thin of this journey. It is a huge privilege to be alongside passionate and determined people who give their all to pursue better lives for others. Let’s continue to inspire each other in our own unique ways! 

​To our distribution partners globally, we are deeply appreciative of your commitment and perseverance amidst the pandemic situation. The past 2 years have been tough but your ongoing partnership has provided us an opportunity to learn how to pivot & grow amidst adversity. We have much to learn from you and we look forward to working more closely now that we can travel more often! ​

Support our efforts with a contribution of any size

Your support helps Wateroam deliver our solutions to children without access to clean water around the world. Your contribution, however big or small, is extremely valuable and gives life to communities all around the world. Wateroam is currently providing water filters to refugees and IDPs in Myanmar affected by the civil conflict.
If you would like to join David on his mission to end prolonged thirst, please offer your support here!

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