Water in Haiti: The Solution
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From left, our senior plumber, Joanes Bastin; a local Water Board member; and our National Rural Water Association water expert, Lupe Aragon. The first installation of the large chlorinator LF1500 (pictured) was made in May 2006. |
Our chlorinators provide reliable water protection. Tablet chlorinators provide a steady, preset level of chlorination persists in the water for many days. This provides dependable protection against the disease-causing bacteria common in the buckets, home storage tanks, and local piping in poor communities.
Chlorination is safe and easy to maintain, and no electricity is needed. Unlike gas and liquid chlorine, which are dangerous and unstable, our chlorine tablets are stable enough to store in difficult conditions and safe enough to be handled by amateurs. The chlorinators operate on the water’s own gravity flow, so no additional equipment is necessary.
Our system looks toward sustainability for future years. We seek to encourage local "ownership" of each water system and teach local people the skills needed to sustain the chlorine system in future years. Local water boards are trained by small, International Action Staff to adjust chlorine levels, make minor repairs, and educate their neighbors about the value of clean water.
Our staff rides the circuit of installed chlorinators once a month to check on maintenance and answer questions raised by local water boards. The established water board serves as our point of contact with the community.
