wfn.org | UMCOR sends water treatment units to Mozambique

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

March 16, 2000 News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-21-31-71B{147}

By United Methodist News Service

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is working to meet the
crucial need for safe drinking water in Mozambique and other parts of
Southern Africa ravaged by floodwaters.

Two two-piece water treatment units, capable of producing 10,000 gallons of
potable water per day, have been sent to Mozambique, according to Wendy
Whiteside, an UMCOR executive. The units come from General Engineering
Laboratories, based in Charleston, S.C.

The company launched its "Project Living Water" as part of the relief effort
in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch devastated Central America in 1998. George
Green, a chemical engineer, designed a less costly water treatment unit that
was easier to transport and operate, assisted by Tim Owens, an environmental
engineer at General Engineering Laboratories.

UMCOR contracted to have Owens go to Mozambique in mid-March for six days to
teach people how to train others to operate the units, Whiteside said.

Each unit fits in the back of a pickup truck and acts as a miniature
treatment plant for raw water sources. Sand filtration is used for the
removal of sediment, chlorination for the removal of disease-causing
microorganisms and another filtration process for the removal of
microorganisms resistant to chlorination. According to the company, a single
unit can fulfill the drinking water needs of communities ranging from
several hundred to several thousand people.

Through a grant from the Soros Foundation, UMCOR will be able to ship five
more of the units to Southern Africa.

Whiteside noted that United Methodists could help finance the purchase of
more units - which cost between $10,000 and $12,000 apiece - by contributing
to the Churchwide Appeal for Flood Recovery in Mozambique and Neighboring
Countries. Checks may be written to UMCOR, designated to Advance No.
156500-0, and placed in church collection plates or mailed to 475 Riverside
Dr., Room 330. New York, NY 10115. Credit-card donations can be made by
calling (800) 554-8583.
# # #

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org