Nalgene Water Fund Heads to Appalachia, Donates $50,000 to DigDeep, and Launches Limited Edition Bottle to Promote Lasting Clean Water Access

Business Wire

21-05-2025

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In celebration of its five-year commitment to helping address the U.S. water crisis, the Nalgene Water Fund (NWF), established by Nalgene Outdoor, the makers of the iconic wide-mouth reusable bottle, today announced a $50,000 donation to DigDeep's Appalachia Water Project (AWP). The contribution brings Nalgene's mission to a region long sought out by its enthusiasts for its epic outdoor adventures and awe-inspiring landscapes, yet many communities there still lack access to clean, reliable water and basic sanitation.
To express appreciation for Appalachia's beauty and engage its fans in supporting the region's pressing water crisis, Nalgene Outdoor is launching a limited-edition bottle inspired by Appalachia's iconic blue ridgelines and rivers. Available May 21 exclusively at Nalgene.com, each $20 bottle contributes $5 to the Nalgene Water Fund in support of DigDeep's community-led work to deliver long-term water solutions.
'Being chosen as the beneficiary of a Nalgene Water Fund bottle brings critical support and helps us reach new people who care about this crisis,' said Travis Foreman, Director of DigDeep's Appalachia Water Project. 'Creating sustainable water access takes long-term commitment and trusted support, and this collaboration brings both.'
'We designed this bottle to turn our appreciation for Appalachia into action,' said Eric Hansen, Marketing Director at Nalgene Outdoor. 'We hope Nalgene fans will rally behind DigDeep's mission and give back to a region that's given them so many unforgettable adventures.'
Five Years of Action: Fueling Clean Water Progress Through Partnership
Since 2019, the Nalgene Water Fund has provided more than $800,000 in funding and in-kind support to grassroots partners advancing clean water access across the country. The crisis remains urgent, with over 2.2 million people in the U.S. still living without access to running water or basic plumbing.
Nalgene's impact has grown through collaborations like REVERB's RockNRefill program. For the first time, proceeds from bottles donated by Nalgene Outdoor and sold at live music events will go to the Nalgene Water Fund, turning fan purchases into meaningful support for clean water projects nationwide.
Communities supported by the fund include:
Flint, MI: With Thermo Fisher Scientific, helped launch the Flint Community Water Lab with $650,000 in equipment, funding, and bottles.
Benton Harbor, MI: Donated $13,000 and 2,000 bottles to install lead-filtering refill stations in district schools.
Navajo Nation: Raised nearly $80,000 with Diné designer Jaden Redhair to support DigDeep's Navajo Water Project and COPE.
Western North Carolina: Donated $10,000 and 2,000 bottles to Water Mission following Hurricane Helene.
How to Help Refill the Good
The exclusive Nalgene Appalachia bottle is available now for $20 at Nalgene.com, with $5 from each sale supporting the Nalgene Water Fund. Like all Nalgene bottles, it's BPA/BPS-free, dishwasher safe, leakproof, and made from 50% recycled materials (ISCC-certified).
Supporters can also contribute by purchasing RockNRefill bottles at REVERB-supported live music events. Every bottle sold helps fund clean water access for underserved U.S. communities.
For photos and videos, samples, or more information, contact Marcia Gray at [e-mail]. Follow @Nalgene on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
About NALGENE Outdoor
NALGENE ® Outdoor Products is based in Rochester, New York and part of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Founded in 1949 as a manufacturer of the first plastic pipette holder, the company soon expanded its product line to include state-of-the-art polyethylene labware under the NALGENE brand. By the mid-1970s, outdoor enthusiasts had discovered the taste and odor-resistant, leak-proof and rugged properties of NALGENE's large selection of plastic containers. In response to this emerging demand, NALGENE Outdoor Products was formed and today the consumer-oriented business offers its customers a wide choice of safe, environmentally friendly, BPA- and BPS- free products that meet their lifestyle needs. For more information, contact NALGENE Consumer Products or visit www.nalgene.com.
About DigDeep
DigDeep is a human rights nonprofit working to ensure every person in the United States has access to clean, running water and sanitation at home. DigDeep has served thousands of families across the country through award-winning and community-led field projects: the Navajo Water Project (Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah), the Appalachia Water Project (West Virginia and Kentucky), and the Colonias Water Project (Texas). DigDeep is also a leading force in US water access research, workforce development, and policy advocacy, underscoring their commitment to addressing the sector's lack of comprehensive data. Notable national reports, including 'Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States: A National Action Plan' and 'Draining: The Economic Impact of America's Hidden Water Crisis,' unveiled the harsh reality that over 2 million people in the US live without a toilet or tap at home, which costs the American economy a staggering $8.6 billion annually. For more information, please visit digdeep.org.