Water purification plan

Recently, our dedicated colleagues took the time to revisit schools participating in the Water Purification Plan. Their goal was to assess both the condition and usage of the water purification equipment. Let’s explore two heartwarming stories from these schools and their experiences with the water filter systems.

Unclean Mountain Spring Water

When you think about mountain spring water, what comes to mind? Perhaps you envision it as clean, clear, sweet, and rich in minerals—maybe even beneficial for your health? While mountain spring water may appear pristine at first glance, it can unfortunately harbor many unseen impurities and pollutants as it flows through mountainous terrains. This was precisely the challenge faced by our first school featured in this story.

The school's primary source of water is surface runoff from nearby mountain springs. Typically, they utilize a piping system along with a sedimentation tank to treat this water before boiling it in heaters for drinking purposes. However, during summer months when children tend to drink more frequently, long lines often form at the heaters due to insufficient hot water availability.

Fortunately, with the arrival of the Water Purification Plan at their school came new purification equipment that significantly improved access to safe drinking water for all students. Following installation, our project partners diligently monitored both equipment performance and overall water quality. During one routine inspection where a partner disassembled a filter for examination, everyone was taken aback—the filter had turned completely black! This served as an eye-opening reminder of just how much dirt and debris had been effectively filtered out.

The Water Purification Plan not only ensures that children have access to clean drinking water but also highlights potential contaminants present in what might otherwise seem like pure sources. It serves as an important reminder for everyone about avoiding untreated water and fostering good hygiene habits.

Reliable Filters

Another story unfolds at a primary school shortly after the implementation of the Water Purification Plan. One day, the school’s water system manager noticed that the purified water output was not flowing as smoothly as it had before. Initially, they suspected that low water pressure might be to blame. However, upon inspecting the system, it became clear that neither the water supply nor pressure was causing the issue. Consequently, the manager reached out to the equipment manufacturer for assistance.

During their phone conversation, the manufacturer guided the manager through checking some common issues; however, no faults were identified. Eventually, they decided to open up the filter for a closer inspection.

The water purification equipment provided by this project utilizes advanced nanofiltration technology and features a five-stage purification process. Unlike typical urban home or school systems, this equipment is specially designed to handle rural water sources' complexities and includes an additional pre-filter stage. The initial filter—usually made from polypropylene cotton—effectively blocks sediment and other impurities. It is replaced based on local water quality and usage frequency in order to protect the core filter and ensure optimal functioning for our rural children.

When the manager opened up the filter, they were taken aback—the first-stage filter was quite dirty! This discovery clarified why there had been a slowdown in water flow. Acting quickly, they replaced the soiled filter with a new one provided alongside this essential equipment.

After making this replacement, everything returned to normal within the water system; once again, children could enjoy clean drinking water without concern. The teachers expressed their heartfelt gratitude while reflecting on how different things might have been without such an invaluable Water Purification Plan in place. Most importantly though—they felt immense relief knowing that all children now have access to safe drinking water!