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| "Cruz
Roja Mexicana": The reservoir where water is treated with chlorine-based
water disinfectants before being piped into Huixtepec. |
Safe
Drinking Water: A Global Crisis
Today,
inadequate and unsafe drinking water supplies represent a continuing
public health problem for most of the world’s population. Nearly
half of the people living in developing countries suffer from health
problems associated with insufficient or contaminated water, and
more than 3 million children under 5 years of age die each year
from complications of diarrhea caused by contaminated water.
The
United Nations has reported that it would take an investment of
approximately a half trillion dollars and 10 years to adequately
meet global drinking water demands. The UN Secretary General noted
that "member states and the donor community are far from meeting
this challenge." According to a U.S. State Department official,
water is an issue that has to be done in an integrated fashion on
a local, regional basis. A pioneering partnership between the American
and Mexican Red Cross societies and the U.S. Chlorine industry has
taken a positive step in this direction with a new innovative project
designed to address the water crisis in a small Mexican village.
Huixtepec
Water Project
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| "Red
Cross Faucet": One of five faucets located throughout the village
of Huixtepec bringing safe water to residents. |
As
part of its commitment to make safe water accessible to people worldwide,
the Chlorine Chemistry Division of the American Chemistry Council’s
Water Relief Network is working with the American and Mexican Red
Cross societies to develop a drinking water disinfection and distribution
system in the rural Mexican village of Huixtepec. Similar to the
thousands of other rural communities in the developing world without
safe drinking water, waterborne illness is a part of daily existence
for Huixtepec residents.
Until
now, the people of Huixtepec turned to untreated springs and streams
for water. Often, these sources were shared with local livestock
and other animals, which significantly increased the risk of waterborne
disease. While household bleach was sporadically dumped into streams
to kill bacteria and other microbes, no measurements were taken
to ensure effectiveness.
Much
like the aqueducts that brought clean water to the Roman Empire
from springs miles outside the city, a simple gravity-fed treatment
and distribution system has been constructed in Huixtepec. The Water
Relief Network is providing materials, including five kilometers
of vinyl pipe and disinfection chemicals. Huixtepec residents were
responsible for constructing the system and will maintain it into
the future. Mexican Red Cross officials will train residents on
water quality testing and disinfection. The system brings water
from a spring outside the village to a holding tank where the water
is treated with chlorine-based water disinfectants. Following treatment,
the water travels through vinyl pipe directly into the village.
Because the system is gravity-fed, it does not rely on electricity
which can be expensive for communities living at subsistence level.
Project
Results
The
project took approximately six months to complete and is modeled
after a successful similar Red Cross project in a nearby community.
Officials from the American and Mexican Red Cross will closely monitor
the Huixtepec project to measure its impact on reducing public health
risks.
According
to the American Academy of Microbiology, low technology options,
coupled with appropriate education, can provide dramatic improvements
in human health in even the least developed countries.
The
Water Relief Network
The
Water Relief Network, a program of the Chlorine Chemistry Division
of the American Chemistry Council in cooperation with the American
Red Cross, assists relief efforts through donations of chlorine-based
products necessary for communities throughout the world to recover
from natural or man-made disasters. For more information on the
Huixtepec program or the additional efforts of the Water Relief
Network, please call 202-452-9493 or fax 202-296-7285.
Additional
Photographs
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| One
of five faucets located throughout the village of Huixtepec
bringing safe water to residents. |
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| Children
of Huixtepec celebrate the launch of the new water system
by performing on top of the reservoir. |
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| The
people of Huixtepec at a ceremony launching the new water
system. |
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| A
ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch the new water system in
the village. |
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