Why are Pure Water for the World projects needed?

1.2 billion people in developing countries worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water. Each year, 25 million people die from diseases contracted from consuming contaminated water. The consumption of contaminated water has lead to the 900 million cases of diarrhea and 900 million cases of roundworm in the world today. It is estimated that roughly 80% of all diseases in the world are associated with contaminated water. In Central America, these water borne diseases are the leading cause of death in children under the age of five. In Honduras, 36% of those living in rural areas of the country do not have clean drinking water. And those who do, only one-third of the water systems are rated in "A" condition. Currently 50,000 children in Honduras and 12,000 children in El Salvador die every year from health problems due to drinking contaminated water.

Where are Pure Water for the World projects needed?

Pure Water for the World (PWW) is currently targeting Central America, specifically Honduras. The strategy of PWW is to target a core area and then spread out community by community so that an entire region may have clean water before moving on to other needy areas. Water purification systems are already being installed there, and a good deal is already known about the contamination of Central American water. This region is where PWW is gaining valuable experience from each community project. Collaborative agreements are being made between Rotary clubs, other organizations, local community development organizations, and ministry of health field staff. With that said, PWW is assisting other organization and Rotary districts who want to replicate our project in other parts of the world. Rotary District 7950 is starting a similar project in Cambodia.

When are Pure Water for the World projects needed?

Now! Water borne diseases in Central America lead to children spending less time in school, poorer quality of life, and shorter life expectancies. Studies have proven that the lack of clean drinking water is the number one cause of poverty. The technology exists to provide clean water to everyone. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are in place to provide education and structure. The commitment is the only missing link in making the dream of Pure Water for the World a reality.

What are the contaminants in the water?

Contaminated water can contain microbiological, mineral, or chemical pollutants. Drinking water is most often contaminated by human and animal fecal waste. The microbiological contaminants are the most common cause of health problems and wide spread diseases, and PWW focuses solely on removing the biological contaminants. These contaminants lead to medical conditions such as diarrhea, dysentery, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and typhoid fever. The World Health Organization (WHO) uses coliform bacteria levels as an indicator of microbiological contamination. WHO defines clean water for small communities without central water distribution as water with coliform bacteria counts below 10 parts per 100rnL. Persistent failure to reach this standard, especially with the presence of E coli, indicates that the water is unacceptable for human consumption.

What methodology does Pure Water primarily implement?

Pure Water for the World's field efforts have included several different water treatment methods - intermittent slow sand filtration and solar pasteurization. Those experiences, plus research work completed by the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, have led PWW to promote primarily slow sand filtration in Honduras. We are currently using a filter designed by Dr. David Manz of the University of Calgary. This process has been in use in Europe and New England for the past 150 years. In the developing world, this filtering method is very simple, requires no maintenances, is very inexpensive and the units can be built locally of concrete. PWW has already installed hundreds of filters of this type in Honduras.

What is the effective cost of each unit?

The cost includes:

• manufacturing the filter, the disfusser and cover,
• providing 2 buckets,
• monitoring and education, and
• purchasing and administration of the parasite treatment for the household

The total cost for a lifetime of clean drinking water for a household in on average $75 per filter. This cost covers only in-country expense and does not cover administration costs.

Which Rotary Clubs have participated in Pure Water for the World projects?

(Partial list as of 12/31/03) Florida: South Miami, Massachusetts: Danvers, Beverly, Peabody, Watertown, Georgetown, Hamilton/Wenham, and Ipswich, New York State: Granville, New Hampshire: Bow, Hopkinton, Hollis/Brookline, Nashua West, Londonderry, New London, Gilford, Keene, Littleton, Manchester, White Mountains, Vermont: Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Rutland South, Middlebury, Waterbury, Burlington, St. Johns bury, Springfield, Killington, Barre, Randolph, Charlotte/Shelburne, Washington: Bellingham Bay, District 7950: Rhode Island and Cape Cod region of Massachusetts

How is a receiving community selected?

Pure Water can select a community for you in Honduras or El Salvador. We use the following criteria:

• The number of houses and location,
• Presence of the local school,
• Source of water and type of distribution system,
• Community efforts within the community,
• Presence of Ministry of Health or other organizations field staff,
• Existence/potential for community responsibility

Projects are typically most successful when community organizations act as a distribution and support center for pure water. It is the support of the school officials; health officials and community leadership are essential ingredients for a successful project.

How do you obtain basic data on community and health?

Community surveys, NGO' s field information, lab analyses of water, local health staff and statistics, or school system records of attendance and health are all useful ways to collect basic data about a community and its health issues.

What community and health data is useful and necessary?

Information about the community's current water sources and distribution system is necessary. The needs of the community must be determined prior to the beginning of any project. Another necessary components are:

• Laboratory analysis and current purification efforts
• Statistics concerning the incidence of diarrhea and other health effects due to current water source
• Community's capability to financially support maintenance of a water purification project

How do you choose the most appropriate water purification system?

Here are many technologies available to purify water and each technology has advantages and disadvantages. It is important to pick the technology that matches the environment of the receiving community, and requires no on-going costs for maintenance. Currently Pure Water in implementing slow sand filtration units.

Who trains the community?

This depends on the system chosen, but generally the product supplier or people experienced through prior projects provide the training. The supporting NGO or Health Ministry provides some monitoring of system and community training and sanitation education. That is why it is necessary to build relationships with local officials.

Who is responsible for the water purification system once it is installed?

The family where a filter has been installed is responsible for proper use of the filter. If they are problems, then the local water committee will retrain the user on the proper use. The local health official, who maintains health data, also reports incidents of water borne diseases to the head of the local committee and to the user. Once the family is drinking clean water regularly, do certain health conditions exist? Yes, although they are drinking clean water, if there were parasites, then those intestinal parasites will continue to thrive. Part of Pure Water's program is to give each member of the household parasite treatments.

How is the on-going maintenance of the water purification system funded?

The community is responsible for on-going maintenance. Considering of what those expenses could be need to be evaluated prior to selecting any type of system. Many communities and individuals cannot afford on-going costs. It is critical to know and understand the culture of the village.