Water Projects in Haiti - 2010

There are two parts to  water problems in Haiti and worldwide: availability and quality. Contaminated water is one of the leading causes of disease, so it has been a concern from the start for FoH.
 
Water sources….in 2006 a previously dug well was found  in Joineau. It was uncapped and a pump shipped.  Clean water came flowing out and continues to do so.  Also in 2006 the Pulaski group began working on a system to bring water up the steep hill from the local spring to Grand Boulage. In 2008, the pump was replaced with one  that runs for nine hours instead of four on one gallon of gas. There are two storage tanks. Many people have been saved a tortuous climb up the mountain with 40# containers of water.  As of Spring 2010, the people have become more efficient at managing the dispensation of the water, although the spring is dryer than usual, possibly as a result in earth shifts during the earthquake. 

In Spring, two engineers surveyed various area springs to determine whether ram type pumps could be used to supply water.

Another facet of the water situation is water harvesting. A 10,000 gal cistern will capture water from the Grand Boulage Community Center roof.  Other cisterns have also been built and rain gutters placed on buildings.  This water will help with crops and for the goats and rabbits, especially in dry weather.

First clean water systems called gift of water were used to purify water. Currently three different types are in use.

1) In Thomazeau , since November 2008, Solar Pasteurization units have been distributed to 70 families, an orphanage and several schools in the Joineau area.  Water is disinfected without use of electricity, fuel, pumps, or chemicals. Sediment free water is filtered into a 3 ½  gallon unit and placed in the sun.  In about 3 hours the water reaches 160 degrees, the temperature needed to kill all pathogens.  A simple thermal indicator indicates the proper temp has been reached. (Units can last more than 10 years).  The thermal indicator is the only part that may need replacement.

A health agent is retained to train and monitor more families. Acceptance of the units has been positive. It's usually possible to do two heating cycles and thus obtain 7 gallons of clean water in a day. This clean water is often shared with neighbors. Anecdotal reports indicate that the children are feeling better.
 
Some first generation units failed at the seals and a second generation has followed. The glass lid on this unit can be opened, thus eliminating the need for permanent seals. Water is heated in eight individual metal bottles, each one in contact with a thermal indicator. 300 of the new units have been donated.

2) Clean Water for the World UV light purification units are also in the Joineau area of Haiti, in Merceron and at St. Therese School. They can be installed anywhere - even on a tree. The whole system fits in a box and weighs 35 lbs.  Water comes from the open well or river where they always get water and is poured into the spout to pass through a cotton paper filter which removes particles that could provide cover or protection for deadly pathogens.

The water then passes through a stainless steel ultra-violet light chamber that sterilizes the pathogens and renders them non-viable. When the water comes out of the faucet, it is pure and free of all harmful bacteria and/or viruses and safe to drink. The ultra-violet light chamber has an LED light that monitors water usage and automatically shuts the system down when the light needs to be replaced. This unit will produce up to 5 gallons of pure water per minute. Clean Water for the World from Dartmouth College has donated six additional units; and they will be installed this fall.

3) On mission trips, our Friends of Haiti, Inc. teams have been using Sawyer Water Filters…..www.PointOneFilter.com …. for the last two years.  They are micron absolute hollow fiber membrane filters and are lifetime filters.  They need no chemicals nor chlorine.  They are used with 5-gallon bucket adapter kits.
       
The Sawyer Point One Filter exceeds all EPA recommendations for drinking water.  This biological filter does NOT require chemicals.  It cleans 5 gallons of water in less than 20 minutes.  Cleaning is as easy as back washing the filter with clean water (not required often).  NO REPLACEMENT FILTERS OR CARTRIDGES ARE NECESSARY.
 
The Sawyer Point Zero Two Filter (0.02)  LIFETIME PURIFIER –additionally removes viruses with no chemicals.  It cleans  5 gallons of water in about 45 minutes.  It is our experience that one Point One Filter has been able to supply the needs of a group of 40 people.  The Point Zero Two filter is slower and some people are impatient.  So, we build up a supply of purified water from the 0.02 filter in 4-gallon water bottles.  And, we also run a Point One filter for washing hands, cooking as well as drinking.  Some units were donated to translators and families and more will be shipped for use in the mountains.  Sawyer gave us a two for one price during the relief emergency.