Water Purification: Personal, Family and Village Solutions??

2009 West Coast Healthcare Missions and Ministry Conference

Presented By: Bob Arrington Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

What’s the Problem?

• One billion of the world’s population most deprived people have no access to safe water ( World Commission on Water for the 21st Century)

• 3.5 million people die from water related diseases each year * • 5000 children die each day from waterborne diseases *

• 40% of those deaths are due to diarrhea and/or dysentery * note: UNICEF names diarrhea as the second-leading childhood killer

Yunnan Province, China

Women at the Well

What is the Solution(s)?According to Prof. Brent Haddad of the University of California the WHO and UNEP has failed (30 year old model) because:

• Developing countries lack the expertise and funds to run a system

• Countries have no way to make people pay their water bills

• Foreign aid is often inadequate and frequently dissipates before it reaches its intended destination

• Cities refuse to expand services outside their borders

• Insufficient political commitment at all levels

• Rampant corruption

What is the Solution(s)?

The World Commission on Water for the 21st Century suggests:

• Governments must radically rethink their policies on clean water.

• Government must double its investment in water supply to $180bn with a focus on sustainable use of water.

• Let private sector take the lead in improving clean water and supplies.

• Scrap water subsidies that encourage waste.

• Establish water innovation funds to foster smart ideas for water technology.

A Village Solution

Roggie Village, Ethiopia

• 700’ water well• Cost $87,000USD

A Village Solution

Water of Lifewww:wateroflife.net

• Removes 99.9999% of bacteria and virus• Produces 10,600 gal/day• Operates off a truck battery or solar cells• Costs – Current $10,000 to $12,000 +

Personal/Family Solution

BioSand Filter

A Vision for Clean Water Rotary Club of Troy MIwww.avisionforcleanwater.org

Diffuser Plate

• known to reduce instances of diarrhea up to 74%

• produces up to 0.6 liters/minute

• cost to produce $25 -$60 USD