2 September 2013 – At the start of World Water Week, a group of field
experts in water resource management are calling for a new approach to
optimising the use of water in developing and disaster-struck regions. The
group – which is exhibiting at AidEx, Europe’s leading humanitarian and
development aid event – is calling for a long-term approach focused on
sustainability and further incorporation of new technology as part of aid
agencies’ strategies. Currently, 780 million people still lack access to
improved sources of drinking water. By 2050, global water demand is
expected to increase by 55 per cent , due to growing demands from
manufacturing, electricity generation and households.
Thierry Barbotte, Managing Director of Vergnet Hydro, a French company
specialising in supplying water to isolated areas in Africa and Asia, said:
“The time has come for all water stakeholders to commit towards a
sustainable and reliable potable water supply – particularly in the rural
areas of developing countries. We have been following this path for more
than 35 years, providing services at the local level. There are 50 million
people attaining their daily water thanks to a Vergnet hydropump. This is
evidence that sound private sector involvement is a solution for
post-traditional water management.”
David Monnier, Business Development Manager for the Safe Water Trust, a UK
charitable company and producer of Aquafilters, which provide safe drinking
water for families and communities in developing countries said:
“The same solutions have been applied to the same problems for decades and
proved to be inefficient. The key challenge is to look at new technologies
when we talk about water systems and coordinate private sector efficiency
with NGO insight. This is essential to providing greater access to new
water technology – together with a strong support from national
authorities. Traditional, dogmatic approaches often discount local issues.
The two Aquafilters we recommend can provide a community with 300 litres of
safe water per hour or a family with 1 litre per minute, both for a period
of at least four years. They turn biologically contaminated water from open
wells, ponds and rivers into sterile drinking water at the point of use.
They are self-cleaning and operate without power supply.”
Grant Gibbs, Project Leader at South African Hippo Water Roller Project,
said:
Kids with Rollers – 300dpi
“With growing water demand, people all around the world have to understand
that the way available water resources are used needs to change for the
benefit of all. Aid organisations have to look at what works in the field
rather than applying first world solutions to developing world problems.
The focus must be on sustainable, long-term solutions in providing access
to water. With the Hippo Roller, people can move 90 litres of water easily,
and to date, 44,000 Hippo rollers have been distributed directly benefiting
over 300,000 people.”
For more information on exhibitors in the water zone at AidEx 2013, visit:
http://www.aid-expo.com/en/exhibitors-category/Water-sanitation.aspx