In Assin Amoabin, Ghana, a settlement with a population of 2000, there is no piped water supply. The residents get water from the community borehole, but it is unsuitable for drinking. The water has bacteria and visible traces of iron and manganese contamination.
Community members complain frequently of the poor taste and smell of the water and also have challenges using water for household activities such as washing clothes because the water does not lather easily with the water.
There was therefore a need to discover an innovative, cost-effective and sustainable water solution so that the population is not deprived of their right to potable water.
In partnership with the local authorities, we developed a PurAID®-based kiosk system, the PurAID® Independent Drinking Water Provider (IDWP) Project. The very first PurAID®-based IDWP project has been successfully launched in Assin Amoabin, Ghana, making life easier and healthier for thousands of residents of this rural community. The heart of the PurAID® IDWP project is the PurAID®, the UN-recognised, modular drinking water treatment technology using regenerable adsorbents for removing contaminants such as iron, manganese, ammonia, arsenic, fluoride and bacteria from groundwater rendering it safe to drink without removing the essential minerals required in drinking water.
Our healthy drinking water kiosk is easy to install, and relocate and provides residents with safe drinking water. The installation of the PurAID® IDWP, now means that the community members will no longer consume drinking water with bacteria and visible traces of iron and manganese contamination.
The PurAID® IDWP has significant social and environmental benefits. Apart from the fact that the project encourages the reuse of plastic by providing reusable 18-litre gallons with taps for accessing the water, other benefits include:
- no water loss,
- cleaning is done with environmentally friendly renewable adsorbent materials, so backwash water is non-hazardous and can safely be released into the environment,
- accessing water from the PurAID® IDWP is safe because gallons provided are periodically disinfected,
- local jobs are created.
The introduction and installation of the PurAID® IDWP could not have been possible without the cooperation and support of the Chiefs, Elders and the local community folk of Assin Amoabin. Other partners that have contributed to the success of the Project include the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) and the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), who have been very supportive in the piloting and eventual deployment of the solution.
Building on the success of the first IDWP project, we plan to install similar systems in the medium term to provide a sustainable solution for every community needing safe drinking water access.
