I’m Phillip, a lifelong Sacramento resident and solo founder launching a purified water storefront in one of our city’s most contaminated and underserved neighborhoods. Our tap water contains PFAS, arsenic, and pesticides. Bottled water is unaffordable. I’m changing that—one gallon at a time.
With your help, I’ll open a refill station offering safe water at just $0.50/gallon,
1. Executive Summary
Mission: I’m launching a one-owner purified water storefront to provide affordable, safe, and sustainable drinking water in a Sacramento neighborhood disproportionately burdened by contamination and poverty.
Vision: A replicable, community-rooted model that reduces plastic waste, improves health outcomes, and builds local economic resilience—starting here, then scaling across California’s most impacted tracts.
Solo-Operator Impact: As a solo founder, I’ll wear every hat—installer, educator, advocate. My lived experience in this community gives me the trust and urgency to lead from within.
Replicability: I will document every step—from lease negotiation to voucher workflows—to create an open-source toolkit for other entrepreneurs to launch similar stores in their own disadvantaged tracts.
2. ⚠️ Statement of Need
Contamination: Sacramento’s groundwater is contaminated with PFAS, arsenic, and pesticides. Over 40% of local water systems exceed EPA health advisories. McClellan AFB groundwater tested at 3,000 ppt PFOS—750x the EPA limit.
Cost Burden: Bottled water costs $1.50–$2.00/gallon. That’s $90–$120/month for a family of four. Tap filters are unaffordable or ineffective against PFAS.
Inequities: This tract ranks in the top 20% of CalEnviroScreen for pollution burden and poverty. Residents face higher rates of kidney disease, asthma, and housing insecurity.
Environmental Impact: Plastic bottle waste from water alone exceeds 1,000 bottles per household per year. Most are not recycled.
3. Goals & Objectives
| Objective | Target |
| Retail price | $0.50/gallon |
| Subsidy credits | 100,000 gallons/year (≈$50,000) |
| Plastic bottle reduction | 1 million bottles/year |
| Jobs created | 1 FTE (myself), 1 PT youth intern |
| Toolkit deliverables | Lease template, equipment specs, voucher workflow, POS dashboard template |
Why $0.50/gallon? It’s 75% cheaper than bottled water, yet covers operating costs and allows for cross-subsidization. It’s the sweet spot between affordability and sustainability.
4. ️ Implementation Plan & Timeline
| Month | Milestone | Risks & Mitigation |
| 0–1 | Form steering committee (CBOs, water district, clinic) | Low engagement → offer $100 stipends for participation |
| 1–2 | Secure site in CalEnviroScreen top 20% tract | High rent → negotiate 3 months free + tenant improvements |
| 2–3 | Negotiate lease | Landlord resistance → offer long-term lease + community goodwill |
| 3–4 | Submit permits (health, signage, plumbing) | Delays → pre-consult with city planning |
| 4–6 | Build out store, install RO + UV-AOP system | Equipment delay → pre-order with 50% deposit |
| 6–7 | Set up POS (Square), inventory, refill station | Tech issues → choose proven, low-maintenance systems |
| 7 | Soft launch GoFundMe + host free-fill event | Low turnout → partner with food bank for co-promotion |
| 8 | Grand opening | Weather/event conflict → have indoor contingency |
| 9–12 | Monthly forums, voucher rollout, data tracking | Burnout → automate reporting, recruit intern |
5. First-Year Budget (≤ $150,000)
| Category | Cost |
| Lease (1,000 sq ft, $1.25/sq ft, 9 paid months) | $11,250 |
| Tenant improvements (plumbing, flooring, signage) | $15,000 |
| RO + UV-AOP system + install | $35,000 |
| POS software + hardware (Square) | $2,000 |
| Initial inventory (bottles, caps, filters) | $5,000 |
| Founder salary (incl. fringe, $3,500/mo x 12) | $42,000 |
| Insurance, utilities, marketing | $10,000 |
| Subsidy credits (100,000 gal @ $0.50) | $50,000 |
| Permits, testing, fees | $3,000 |
| Contingency (5%) | $6,750 |
| Total | $150,000 |
Free rent negotiation: I’ll offer a 5-year lease with community visibility in exchange for 3 months free and $5,000 in landlord-funded improvements. This is common in under-leased commercial corridors.
6. Sustainability & Replication Strategy
Revenue Model:
800 gallons/day × $0.50 × 365 = $146,000/year gross revenue
Break-even: ~$120,000/year (incl. salary, utilities, maintenance)
Equipment:
I chose a commercial RO + UV-AOP system for its PFAS removal efficacy and low maintenance. UV-AOP is essential for breaking down “forever chemicals” that RO alone can’t handle.
Toolkit:
I’ll publish a replicable toolkit with editable templates, cost calculators, and video walkthroughs. It will be open-source and shared via CBO networks and CalEPA’s DAC channels.
7. Community Engagement
- MOUs with:
- Sacramento Food Bank (voucher distribution)
- Local clinics (health survey referrals)
- Water district (testing support)
- Monthly forums: Held in-store with refreshments, updates, and Q&A
- Voucher workflow:
- Residents apply via QR code or paper form
- Verified by partner CBO
- Loaded into POS as refill credits
8. Evaluation & Metrics
| Metric | Tool |
| Gallons sold | Square POS dashboard |
| Voucher redemption | POS + CBO reports |
| Bottles saved | 1 gal = 7.5 bottles (EPA est.) |
| Health outcomes | Pre/post surveys via clinic partners |
| Reporting | Quarterly 2-page briefs + public dashboard |
Thank you for standing with me as we tackle one of the most basic—and most neglected—needs in our community: clean, safe drinking water. Every dollar you give, every share of our story, brings us closer to a future where no family here must choose between bottled water or another bill. Together, we can turn a fundamental human right into a reality for Sacramento’s most underserved neighborhoods. Please join me—donate today, spread the word, and help build a healthier, stronger community, one gallon at a time. —Phillip