Water Missions International Begins Well Rehabilitation Project in Rural Mississippi
Project Will Restore Water Access to Thousands of Homes
Charleston, SC, October 07, 2005 --(PR.com)-- Water Missions International (WMI) has begun a well rehabilitation project in rural areas of coastal Mississippi that were especially hard-hit by Hurricane Katrina. Katrina damaged or destroyed an estimated 5,000 wells in Hancock County, leaving between 20,000 and 40,000 people without access to water. Teams of WMI volunteers will evaluate and repair damage to private wells over the next four to six weeks at an estimated cost of $200 to $500 per well.
According to WMI President and co-founder Molly Greene, "The potential for this project is quite large. There are many other rural areas that could benefit from similar programs. Because wells on the Gulf Coast are typically shallow, with above-ground equipment, they are especially vulnerable to hurricane damage. Depending on results, the program could spread to other counties and parishes throughout the Gulf Coast."
WMI initially responded to Hurricane Katrina’s widespread contamination of water supplies by sending 13 Living Water™ Treatment Systems (LWTS TM) and 10 LWTSTM/Reverse Osmosis Units to Mississippi and Louisiana. Each system can provide enough safe water for 3,000 people.
"These systems are ideal for supplying communities, hospitals, and schools with purified water. But the volunteers who installed the systems saw that the people who rely on well water were not getting the assistance they needed," said Greene. "This is an opportunity for WMI to continue to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Well rehabilitation isn’t something we typically do, but right now it is urgently needed."
The first 100 pumps will be sponsored by Pentair, Inc., a water pump and filtration equipment manufacturer. Pentair previously sponsored Living Water™ Treatment Systems (LWTS™)/ Reverse Osmosis Units for Hurricane Katrina relief. In addition, Pentair has provided volunteer resources, logistical support, and product donations.
Volunteers are needed for this project. All volunteers must have plumbing or electrical skills and a vehicle (preferably a truck), be able to pay their own expenses, and be mentally and physically prepared to work in rural communities where damage is severe. People interested in participating should email Georgia Thompson at gthompson@watermissions.org, or call 843.769.7395.
About Water Missions International:
Water Missions International is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, Christian engineering organization, providing clean-water and sanitation solutions in developing countries and disaster areas, without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity. WMI has worked in 18 countries in partnership with churches, foundations, and civic groups, including Rotary International, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Samaritan’s Purse, International Aid, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, International Medical Health Organization, International Development & Relief Board, Adventist Development & Relief Agency, and Episcopal Relief & Development.
WMI is registered as a Private Voluntary Organization with the United States Agency for International Development and is also a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, an organization that monitors the financial activities of Christian nonprofit organizations and assists in developing and maintaining standards of accountability.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to: Water Missions International, P.O. Box 31258, Charleston, SC 29417, or by credit card online at www.watermissions.org.
###
According to WMI President and co-founder Molly Greene, "The potential for this project is quite large. There are many other rural areas that could benefit from similar programs. Because wells on the Gulf Coast are typically shallow, with above-ground equipment, they are especially vulnerable to hurricane damage. Depending on results, the program could spread to other counties and parishes throughout the Gulf Coast."
WMI initially responded to Hurricane Katrina’s widespread contamination of water supplies by sending 13 Living Water™ Treatment Systems (LWTS TM) and 10 LWTSTM/Reverse Osmosis Units to Mississippi and Louisiana. Each system can provide enough safe water for 3,000 people.
"These systems are ideal for supplying communities, hospitals, and schools with purified water. But the volunteers who installed the systems saw that the people who rely on well water were not getting the assistance they needed," said Greene. "This is an opportunity for WMI to continue to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Well rehabilitation isn’t something we typically do, but right now it is urgently needed."
The first 100 pumps will be sponsored by Pentair, Inc., a water pump and filtration equipment manufacturer. Pentair previously sponsored Living Water™ Treatment Systems (LWTS™)/ Reverse Osmosis Units for Hurricane Katrina relief. In addition, Pentair has provided volunteer resources, logistical support, and product donations.
Volunteers are needed for this project. All volunteers must have plumbing or electrical skills and a vehicle (preferably a truck), be able to pay their own expenses, and be mentally and physically prepared to work in rural communities where damage is severe. People interested in participating should email Georgia Thompson at gthompson@watermissions.org, or call 843.769.7395.
About Water Missions International:
Water Missions International is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, Christian engineering organization, providing clean-water and sanitation solutions in developing countries and disaster areas, without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity. WMI has worked in 18 countries in partnership with churches, foundations, and civic groups, including Rotary International, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Samaritan’s Purse, International Aid, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, International Medical Health Organization, International Development & Relief Board, Adventist Development & Relief Agency, and Episcopal Relief & Development.
WMI is registered as a Private Voluntary Organization with the United States Agency for International Development and is also a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, an organization that monitors the financial activities of Christian nonprofit organizations and assists in developing and maintaining standards of accountability.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to: Water Missions International, P.O. Box 31258, Charleston, SC 29417, or by credit card online at www.watermissions.org.
###
Contact
Water Missions International
Lelani Rowland
843-769-7395
www.watermissions.org
Lelani Rowland
843-769-7395
www.watermissions.org
Contact
Categories