New Pipes Mean Renewed Life for Thousands in West Africa

April 20, 2007, Seattle, WA - World Chlorine Council (WCC) donates $125,000 for PVC pipes, which means access to safe, clean water for tens of thousands of people in West Africa. The World Chlorine Council is a global network of national and regional trade associations and their member companies representing the chlorine and chlorinated product industries.

"The World Chlorine Council's generous gift is a prime example of how an organization plays a vital role in facilitating safe access to potable water," said Bismark Nerquaye-Tetteh, Secretariat of the West African Water Initiative (WAWI). The generous grant will be used by World Vision to purchase extensive amounts of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping for its WAWI operations in Ghana and Mali.

"World Vision knows that clean water is essential to life. We're proud to partner with the World Chlorine Council in supporting efforts to ensure that WAWI communities in need receive this life-giving resource," said Rich Stearns, President of World Vision.

PVC piping, a product of chlorine is a bacteria-resistant material that helps maintain the quality of water when it flows from local borehole wells to various communities in rural Africa. The bacteria-resistant PVC piping is essential to ensure residents continue to receive a safe and clean water source.

The World Chlorine Council actively supports the West African Water Initiative, and provides PVC pipe and other materials used by WAWI member organizations like World Vision.

In partnership with WAWI members, World Vision is drilling 825 borehole wells and providing other water technology systems in rural West Africa, bringing the gift of health and clean water to nearly 500,000 people over a six-year period.

World Vision and other WAWI partners know that water is life. Access to clean water can prevent death, end conflicts, save precious time, and provide the key to transform entire communities. World Vision water projects have given more than 10 million people access to clean water and improved sanitation over the past 20 years.

The West African Water Initiative was inspired by the vision of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and grew from years of experience with World Vision and other partners in Ghana to provide rural water supply and sanitation as the entry point for community development.

Several other leading organizations in international water management were invited to engage with national and local governments, citizen groups, and communities in West Africa, and jointly address critical human health needs, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development through better management of water resources.