• The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's chapter of Engineers Without Borders, together with CannedWater4Kids, will complete the work already in place to bring clean water to a village in the northwest highlands of Guatemala
SUSSEX, WI, Jan. 20, 2010 -- According to the United Nations' 2nd World Water Development Report, more than a billion people, or almost one-fifth of the world's population, lack access to safe drinking water. As a result, the World Health Organization says, a child dies every 8 seconds from drinking unsafe water - or 5000 children every single day. Recently hard at work to combat such trends are two Milwaukee organizations - CannedWater4Kids and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Chapter of Engineers Without Borders.
The UWM Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB@UWM) is very excited to partner with CannedWater4Kids to help complete upcoming projects bringing clean water to people all over the world. Having successfully designed and constructed a home water distribution and chlorination system in Quejchip, Guatemala in 2008 and 2009, they are looking forward to traveling to La Libertad, a neighboring village in the northwest highlands of Guatemala to implement a similar system. La Libertad has a population of approximately 480 people and 80 families. They have designed a system of over 1300 meters of pipeline that will chlorinate mountain spring water and distribution up to 80 liters of water per person per day to individual homes. As part of the sustainability of the project, they work directly with the people of La Libertad to construct the system, as well as a Guatemalan NGO called Agua Para La Salud (APS) whose presence helps with the planning, communication, and construction of the project. This network allows them to work at the highest level of efficiency and trust while in-country. They are also able, with the help of APS translators, to implement a health and hygiene program that further educates the villagers on continued use of the system. They are very grateful for the partnership with CannedWater4Kids and are very excited about the impact it will have on the world.
As a result of a recent connection, CannedWater4Kids is funding the last phase of the University students' water supply system they have researched, designed, and developed in the growing community of La Libertad, Guatemala. This project has the ability of bringing water to the 480 residents and the potential to impact hundreds more, bringing security and peace of mind to countless Guatemalans. Engineers Without Borders works closely with the people to ensure the projects serve them in a sustainable fashion while increasing their quality of life.
About CannedWater4Kids
CannedWater4Kids is a 501(c)3 non-profit lean e-charity dedicated to bringing clean, safe water to children worldwide through new wells, water supply and filtration systems, and education. For more information, visit their website: http://www.cannedwater4kids.org
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