Rotary clubs help bring clean water in developing countries

(Tea Tree Gully, South Australia - 20 October 2007) -- During Australia's National Water Week – 21 to 27 October -- local Rotary clubs are launching a renewed effort to raise funds to provide solar water purifiers to communities in developing countries around the world.

The lack of access to clean water causes waterborne illnesses that kill more than 1.6 million young children each year, according to UNICEF. Now in its sixth year, Rotary's  'Safe Water Saves Lives, Solar Water Purifier' project has provided more than 200 solar water purifying units to poor communities in the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and other developing areas. 

The Solar Water Purifier units convert many types of water, including sea water, into safe drinking water. Using the sun as a power source, the Solar Water Purifier units can efficiently produce large quantities of clean water in remote areas. The units can have a significant impact on communities where residents do not have access to clean water sources.

"At a dedication event a few years ago, a man was offered, accepted and drank a glass of water which had been drawn from the River Torrens and put through the purifying units," said Peter David Rostron, a member of the Tea Tree Gully Rotary Club and the coordinator of the project. "When he was told where the water had come from, he was astounded."

More than 100 Rotary clubs have donated funds in excess of AUD 81,000 to cover the cost of the units and their transportation. The project in Australia adds to the growing list of collaborative water projects carried out by Rotary clubs, and local governments and communities worldwide. To date, Rotary clubs and their partners have invested millions of dollars in joint water projects for rural areas in Africa, Latin America, South and Southeast Asia. 

For more information regarding Rotary’s efforts on clean water, contact Peter David Rostron at 08 8264 2964 (email at pee.kays@bigpond.com.au).  

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotary club members in than 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.