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World water day: are filters the future? World Water Day: are filters the future?
(3 days later)
Since 1990 more than 2 billion people have gained access to improved water sources. It's a huge achievement that has saved thousands of lives, but the biggest challenge will be getting water to the remaining 780 million, many of whom live in the most remote and underdeveloped places on earth.Since 1990 more than 2 billion people have gained access to improved water sources. It's a huge achievement that has saved thousands of lives, but the biggest challenge will be getting water to the remaining 780 million, many of whom live in the most remote and underdeveloped places on earth.
Another considerable but necessary task is to provide clean water to those hit by humanitarian disasters. According to the UK government, diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation account for 80% of deaths in children under two during humanitarian emergencies.Another considerable but necessary task is to provide clean water to those hit by humanitarian disasters. According to the UK government, diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation account for 80% of deaths in children under two during humanitarian emergencies.
One easy to deliver solution that NGOs are now using is the Sawyer water filter. The simple system, which comprises a bucket with a thin hose attached to a nozzle, can clean a million gallons of water. Given that a child needs only 14,600 gallons in a lifetime, the system can offer clean water for life.One easy to deliver solution that NGOs are now using is the Sawyer water filter. The simple system, which comprises a bucket with a thin hose attached to a nozzle, can clean a million gallons of water. Given that a child needs only 14,600 gallons in a lifetime, the system can offer clean water for life.
The filters are based on the technology used in kidney dialysis machines. Each filter is made up of tiny micro tubes with pores hundreds of times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. These pores remove deadly bacteria and allow only clean water to pass through for drinking. The filter effectively eliminates cholera, typhoid, E coli, amoebic dysentery, and many other bacterial contaminants. Water from rivers, ponds, puddles and rainwater can be filtered through the system and safely drunk.The filters are based on the technology used in kidney dialysis machines. Each filter is made up of tiny micro tubes with pores hundreds of times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. These pores remove deadly bacteria and allow only clean water to pass through for drinking. The filter effectively eliminates cholera, typhoid, E coli, amoebic dysentery, and many other bacterial contaminants. Water from rivers, ponds, puddles and rainwater can be filtered through the system and safely drunk.
An immediate use of the filters would be in disaster zones. When typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines many water sources were destroyed or contaminated. Water bottles were dropped from the air and water trucks sent in, but these solutions reached just a small percentage of the population. A number of charities including WaterCharity and Water 2 Wine chose to use the water filters as a means to help families. The charities worked together to distribute the water filters through community leaders, or 'barangay captains', in Tacloban City.An immediate use of the filters would be in disaster zones. When typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines many water sources were destroyed or contaminated. Water bottles were dropped from the air and water trucks sent in, but these solutions reached just a small percentage of the population. A number of charities including WaterCharity and Water 2 Wine chose to use the water filters as a means to help families. The charities worked together to distribute the water filters through community leaders, or 'barangay captains', in Tacloban City.
The filters are also helping communities where division, unrest and a lack of infrastructure means that long-term clean water systems are a long way off. Liberia's capital, Monrovia, is the only capital city in the world that does not have electricity or running water. Charity Hope 2 Liberia, have been installing the filters in schools and distributing smaller filters to families in their homes.The filters are also helping communities where division, unrest and a lack of infrastructure means that long-term clean water systems are a long way off. Liberia's capital, Monrovia, is the only capital city in the world that does not have electricity or running water. Charity Hope 2 Liberia, have been installing the filters in schools and distributing smaller filters to families in their homes.
Remote communities are benefiting from the filters too. When sickness strikes in indigenous Amazonian communities, visits to a clinic are costly both in terms of time and money. Map International has been distributing the water filters to the Tsa'chilla, a community in the Ecuadorian Amazon for several years. "We are seeing a 75% decrease in sickness especially water-borne disease such as parasite infections," says Geovanny Santamaria, from global health group Map Ecuador. Map report that families are saving $30-$40 per month in treatments and visits to the doctor.Remote communities are benefiting from the filters too. When sickness strikes in indigenous Amazonian communities, visits to a clinic are costly both in terms of time and money. Map International has been distributing the water filters to the Tsa'chilla, a community in the Ecuadorian Amazon for several years. "We are seeing a 75% decrease in sickness especially water-borne disease such as parasite infections," says Geovanny Santamaria, from global health group Map Ecuador. Map report that families are saving $30-$40 per month in treatments and visits to the doctor.
Charities who don't have expertise in water provision are using the system to improve other areas of their programmes. Compassion focuses on child development, but saw the education of children in their sponsorship programme suffering due to days missed as a result of sickness. The financial security of families was also being hindered as high percentages of their income were spent purchasing clean water. Since the charity has distributed more than 100,000 filters to families, they have seen attendance of children improve alongside an improvement in the financial situations of families they work with.Charities who don't have expertise in water provision are using the system to improve other areas of their programmes. Compassion focuses on child development, but saw the education of children in their sponsorship programme suffering due to days missed as a result of sickness. The financial security of families was also being hindered as high percentages of their income were spent purchasing clean water. Since the charity has distributed more than 100,000 filters to families, they have seen attendance of children improve alongside an improvement in the financial situations of families they work with.
The filters are cheaper, lighter and easier to maintain than bio-sand or ceramic filters, and can ensure that families have clean water in their home. They can also be used by organisations that don't have direct knowledge or expertise in water development.The filters are cheaper, lighter and easier to maintain than bio-sand or ceramic filters, and can ensure that families have clean water in their home. They can also be used by organisations that don't have direct knowledge or expertise in water development.
At roughly £50 each they are relatively cheap, but to provide every family in a community with a system would soon add up. Most organisations have to be selective in their distribution, and that can lead to friction within a community. The filters don't solve all water-related issues either, as even families using the filters still suffer from water borne diseases if their sanitation and general hygiene are not improved. Socially, girls and women continue to bear the brunt of collecting the water, which takes them out of school and places them at risk of abuse and violence.At roughly £50 each they are relatively cheap, but to provide every family in a community with a system would soon add up. Most organisations have to be selective in their distribution, and that can lead to friction within a community. The filters don't solve all water-related issues either, as even families using the filters still suffer from water borne diseases if their sanitation and general hygiene are not improved. Socially, girls and women continue to bear the brunt of collecting the water, which takes them out of school and places them at risk of abuse and violence.
If the filters are made more affordable, supported by private sector investors and complemented by wider efforts from the global development community to address sanitation and hygiene, they can be part of a global drive to make universal access to clean water a reality.If the filters are made more affordable, supported by private sector investors and complemented by wider efforts from the global development community to address sanitation and hygiene, they can be part of a global drive to make universal access to clean water a reality.
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