Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group

Newsletter  

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For five years the Rotary Clubs of Blue Ridge, Charlottesville and Albermarle, Virginia, USA have been funding a water project for 40,000 people in Wum, Cameroon. 

 

The story of how this incredible program gradually grew is available to watch on YouTube.

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Transmitted through water and food, this highly infectious disease is especially risky in situations where hygiene is poor.

 

India has now been declared polio-free - an accomplishment of huge proportions. Click through to read more about this incredible effort in the Indian Express, Jan. 26, 2013 edition. 

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RC Heliopolis, Egypt is planning a Global Grant  for a sanitation project in Al Adly village , 20 km North of  Cairo where 3000 people are without  sanitation and have all the associated

health problems. The total budget is $75,000 - of which

$30,000 is pledged by the host club and RC Oldenburg in Germany, D-1850, plus an expected TRF contribution.

The club is seeking partner clubs to cover the balance of the budget. If you are interested, please email for more information.

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Recently Wired magazine ran an article about a scientist who has discovered an innovative way to remove heavy metals from water: "In rural areas, germs aren't the only danger to drinking water; pollutants and pesticides can get into supplies too. But soak small segments of peel in a rubbing alcohol solution, dry them out, and put them in dirty groundwater for a couple of hours and they adsorb heavy metal ions, dyes, pesticides, and nanoparticles like gold and silver. Remove the peels and the water is ready to drink. While it doesn't rid the H2O of pathogens, it provides cleaner water using biowaste already on hand." Read More...

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This year marks the 10th anniversary of World Water Day, celebrated annually on March 22nd. This year's theme is water and energy. The UN website contains lots of useful information and suggestions for the day. Did you know:

- Roughly 75% of all industrial water withdrawals are used for energy production;

- Waterborne transit is one of the most energy efficient. Inland towing barges are more than 3 times more energy efficient than road trucks and 40% more efficient than rail;

-In Stockholm, public buses, waste collection trucks and taxis run on biogas produced from sewage treatment plants.  Check out the site for more...!

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Sydney, Australia immediately before the international convention. 

Register early for the sixth annual international WASH Summit. Sessions will range from in-depth discussions to key note addresses by leading international experts. Meet old friends, and make new ones! This is the only international WASH event specifically for Rotarians and others interested in water, sanitation, and hygiene education.

 

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We love hearing about your projects and are delighted to relay these great opportunities for Rotarians to get involved in WASH projects! When posting your projects on the Wasrag website, please remember to include the name of your Rotary club and District number. Contact us at info@wasrag.org if you need help with your posting.