AGUA LIMPIA
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Intro
Just back from the beaches and tourist areas of Puerto Vallarta, many families do not have access to clean, safe drinking water. Many communities are not on the municipal water purification system. The residents in these communities either have to drink whatever water is provided to them via local rivers or other natural sources, or they have to pay to have potable water delivered to their location.
En Rotary PV Sur Desarrollamos 2 programas:
Water Filters
Sometimes families purchase water for 28 pesos for 4 gallons/19 liters but the average working person makes little more than 200 pesos per day. Many families in these communities get their water from the filthy rivers which are multi-use including use for animals and sewage.
The “Water Filter for Families” program was started in 2012 by Club Members Malcolm Laird and Sandra Stolz. As of April 2023, we have given more than 2,800 individual water filters to families, homes and schools in the Puerto Vallarta area, free of charge to the recipients. More than 11,000 people have received the benefit of clean, safe drinking water under this program! A number of these communities are up into the mountains, and several other communities are accessible only by boat.
In addition to receiving the water filter, “Water Filter School” is held wherein instructions on the use, cleaning and maintenance of the filter are given. Clean water storage, hand washing and sanitation are also discussed, and large posters are provided to schools and health centres which outline the importance of clean water and sanitation.
To date, funding has been provided through donations from individuals, charitable organizations, Rotary Clubs, and also through 2 Rotary District Grants, and 3 Rotary International Global Grants.
The cost of a complete filter kit is $62 USD. Because of the cost of this filter, we are able to supply people immediately with safe, clean drinking water and we are able to grow the distribution because of the low cost. With clean, safe drinking water, adults will be able to work and children attend school without the illnesses they currently are susceptible to caused by the unsafe drinking water. As a result, the benefits to the greater community and to society will be long term.
The filters are supplied by Sawyer which has a history of working with Rotary to provide clean, safe drinking water worldwide. The filters do not require any fuel, chemicals, batteries or particular knowledge. They require a clean bucket and regular cleaning with clean water. We provide a new plastic food-grade bucket for the filter as many communities which receive the water filters do not have any sort of water delivery systems to homes in their community. The syringe needed to clean the filter is provided with the filter, as are all instructions for use.
The life expectancy of a filter is 1,000,000 gallons or 4,000,000 liters. The filters will be used constantly on an on-going basis.
The families using the filters are very pleased that they have been given the gift of clean, safe drinking water. The people have expressed their gratitude and happiness, and community members state that the provision of clean, safe drinking water has had a significant positive impact on these communities!
Water Purification Plants
Many of the communities around Puerto Vallarta do not have access to the municipal water treatment and delivery system. The residents in these communities either have to drink whatever water is provided to them via local rivers or other natural sources, or they have to pay to have potable water delivered to their location.
Many of these communities are rural and poor. During the rainy season (June to October) often the dirt roads become impassable. The cost of water per 19 litre/4 gallon jug is approximately 28 pesos. The average wage is less than 50 pesos per day.
The cost of buying water, when it can be delivered, is therefore a substantial part of one’s earnings, provided they are able to earn a wage. Also, gastro-intestinal illnesses caused by the water available in local rivers and streams also prevent children from attending school to achieve an education (education allows them to break the cycle of poverty) and prevents adults from attending to income-earning activities.
Water purification plants are installed in school yards of these communities giving students access to clean, safe drinking water during the day via drinking fountains. Members of the community can also come to fill their water jugs from a hose assembly, at no cost to them. The Rotary Club Puerto Vallarta Sur works in conjunction with the Municipality which provides the infrastructure for the water purification plant, and the concrete pad.
To date, 8 water purificiation plants have been installed in communities around Puerto Vallarta with the most recent installation in January 2018. These installations have been done through 3 separate Rotary International Global Grants. The cost of a water purification plant is approximately $6,500 USD.
The following communities have received the benefit of clean, safe drinking water:
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El Cantón – Municipality of Puerto Vallarta. Approximately 340 residents.
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El Colorado -Municipality of Puerto Vallarta. Approximately 1,025 residents.
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Los Llanitos -Municipality of Talpa de Allende. Approximately 115 residents.
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Santa Cruz de Quelitán -Municipality of Puerto Vallarta. Approximately 150 residents.
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El Ranchito – Municipality of Puerto Vallarta. Approximately 1,255 residents.
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El Zancudo – Municipality of Puerto Vallarta. Approximately 550 residents.
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Tebelchia – Municipality of Puerto Vallarta. Approximately 540 residents.
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Las Mesas – Municipality of Talpa de Allende. Approximately 60 residents.
