Earthquake Relief: Providing Safe Drinking Water

ECCA has been working in six schools of Jhapa district (in East Nepal) for School Environment Improvement. WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) related training was conducted from December 13–15, 2016. The 3-days program focused on different aspects of WASH, among which WATASOL (chlorine solution) production from Mini WATA device was a major part. Total 30 students from nature clubs of six project schools, as well as few teachers and new ECCA counselors of Jhapa, participated in the training.

Prior to WASH program, coliform test of drinking water was conducted in all the six schools. Drinking water in all the schools was found to be infected with E.coli. So, along with the construction of required infrastructures (drinking water stations), water purification technology was introduced. Since chlorination is one of the easiest methods of making drinking water safe, Mini WATA device was provided to the school nature clubs for the production of chlorine solution.

“Coliform test made us realize how vulnerable we are towards water borne diseases”, said one of the participants. “Now that we have received the training, we will conduct awareness programs in the community, regarding safe drinking water issues along with WATASOL production in our school.”

The produced chlorine solution will be used in the school and the nature clubs aim to approach communities in order to encourage them to use water purification methods before drinking water.

ECCA staff demonstrating the procedure of WATASOL production

A participant practices making WATASOL during the training

Group practice to make chlorine solution

ECCA staff hand over Mini WATA device to nature club of Saraswoti Secondary School, Lakhanpur, Jhapa

We thank you for your continuous support in our initiation to help provide safe drinking water to Nepali schools and community.