Water Without Borders was founded by Franklin Evert, a lifelong resident of Dutchess County, New York. Following a series of medical misdiagnoses, Franklin was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative ocular disease. This condition left him legally blind at the age of 20. While many people afflicted with this life-altering event would find cause to lower their expectations of life. Franklin is not one of those people. While working at an international water filtration company, Franklin not only learned the finer points of running an international business, he also learned of the desperate need that much of the world has for safe, clean and accessible water. He learned of the birth defects and digestive disorders caused by unsafe water supplies. He also learned about the negative social and political ramifications brought on by unsafe water supplies in emerging countries. Since Franklin felt he had the ability to do something to alleviate the suffering caused by contaminated water supplies, he felt the moral obligation to do so. Franklin founded Water Without Borders.

One of the problems Franklin experienced while working in the water purification field was the environmental consequences left by many water purification systems. His desire was to employ a water purification system that had minimal impact on the existing environment. Franklin rejected the "one-size-fits-all" approach he had seen other well-meaning but marginally effective organizations take in their attempt to address the worlds need for safe water. Consequently, with Water Without Borders, Franklin utilized a "need-specific" approach. Franklin strongly believed the best solution for a refugee containment facility in sub-Sahara Africa afflicted with dysentery may not be the best solution for a community in the Southeast United States devastated by hurricane.

In an effort to develop a rapid-response solution for areas stricken by natural disaster, Water Without Borders teamed up with select contractors who have developed a mobile purification system for potable water. This system, contained in a 35 foot trailer, was designed for the most adverse conditions and still has the capability to provide up to 100 gallons of potable water per minute. The trailer, which can operate in a stand-alone environment or supplement an existing water system that is failing, can arrive just about anywhere in the United States within 24 hours.

Another problem Franklin experienced was the reluctance of many existing companies, profit and nonprofit alike, to take their services into dangerous environments - regions that posed risks to individuals because of environmental or human hazards. Unfortunately, these areas have the greatest need for safe and accessible water. Likewise, the absence of safe water in these areas often contributes to the environmental and human hazards of the area. It was a destructive cycle. Without access to the fundamental building blocks of a society such as clean water and sanitation, a society remains in a perpetual state of economic depression and lawlessness. Areas that are economically depressed and lawless do not attract investment or aid resulting in further economic depression and lawlessness.

To break this cycle, Franklin needed a special team of individuals who shared his vision. Blane Brummond, Vilai Bouttaphom, and Larry Sullivan were invited to join the team. At their core, these men shared Franklin's passion to make a positive impact in the less fortunate areas of the world. With a combined background in military special operations, personal protection, law, internet technology, disaster response, and construction, there was no place on earth Water Without Borders could not operate. Water Without Borders could now carry out its mission in the most humble or hostile areas of the world - the places where many wish to help but few will.

If you are interested in finding out how you can contribute to our cause or become part of the Water Without Borders team, please