A United States-based organisation is working in partnership with the Fiji Water Foundation to install a water filter in every home in Fiji in 10 years.
Since 2008, Give Clean Water has installed over 1000 household water filters in communities around Nadi and Ba.
The Point One Filter removes 99.999 percent of all bacteria, protozoa, and cysts like e.coli, cholera and typhoid, preventing many water-borne diseases common during times of flood and water shortage, said a Fiji Water Foundation statement.
“The filters come with a one million gallon guarantee -essentially guaranteed for the recipient’s lifetime,” the statement said.
Since July 2009, the Fiji Water Foundation has donated US$30,000 (more than FJ$60,000) toward the installation of 300 water filters in as many homes in the Ba area.
On Friday and Saturday, 65 of Fiji Water’s employees and local community members volunteered in the Natunuku and Sasa villages in Ba, installing filters and educating the communities on sanitation and maintenance.
The two low-lying villages were without regular access to clean water for many weeks following last January’s floods, said the Foundation.
“Irregular carted drinking water left many families thirsty and reliant upon contaminated water sources resulted in illness.”
“The Fiji Water Foundation is committed to making clean water available to everyone in Fiji, and our partnership with Give Clean Water is a natural addition to the water projects and work we are already engaged in,” said Fiji Water Foundation Manager, Molly Powers.
Give Clean Water has three local Fiji staff who follow up with all recipients of water filters, ensuring the filters are working properly and surveying and identifying new communities in need for upcoming installation trips with both local and overseas volunteers. They work closely with provincial leaders to identify the most needy communities for filter installation.
