By Jon Hillery | Program Intern
Because of your important donation, the villagers of Pochampalli and Katrapalli continue to benefit from safe, affordable water. Safe Water Network continues to work with these communities so that they will successfully own and operate their system for generations to come.
Reliable access to safe water means no longer drinking from contaminated sources like local bore wells. As a result, the people of Pochampalli and Katrapalli are healthier and living more productive lives. Using safe water generates positive health impacts including a substantial decrease in diarrhea (a leading contributor to school absenteeism and child mortality) and reduced levels of fluoride, (which causes fluorosis, a debilitating disease common throughout the region). Children are no longer sick and missing school and adults now have more time to pursue work.
Water from these Safe Water Stations is provided in 20 liter iJal (meaning “my water”) branded containers. The jerry cans are specially designed for ease of carrying and also to eliminate recontamination.
Nearly 80% of all households in Pochampalli and 73% in Katrapalli regularly visit their respective Safe Water Stations. This is important for both people’s health and for the sustainability of the Station. Each station must generate sufficient revenue to cover their operating cost, while at the same time keeping the price of the water low enough so that everyone in the village can afford it.
Safe Water Network has launched 22 systems across three states in India and reached over 125,000 people. In Ghana we have 5 systems (with two more launching this month!) reaching 45,000 people. But our work goes well beyond simply building Safe Water Stations. In 2013 we continue to drive towards achieving local sustainability by focusing on the following:
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