2005 Winter Issue 2.45 MB - the American Water Works Association ...

Safe Drinking Water For Palau’s Children
Story and Photos by Mike Cunningham
Water For People (WFP) is a National
Non-Profit Organization based in
Denver, Colorado. The Hawaii Committee
of WFP was formed in 1991 and functions
under the auspices of the American Water Works
Association, Hawaii Section for the purpose of
providing assistance to Water Utilities in the former
U.S. Trust Territories in the Central Pacific Islands.
Since its inception, WFP volunteers from
Hawaii have provided and supported numerous
training programs and water system assessments
in various Pacific Islands throughout Micronesia
including: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Palau, Yap
and Majuro
The health of children and teachers alike has been at risk
from drinking the school’s contaminated water.
One of the eleven Head Start Centers scheduled to receive a Solar
Pasteurization Unit to ensure safe drinking water.
For the past three years, Water For People - Hawaii has been performing a "Needs Assessment" of the
Surface Water Treatment Plants in the Republic of Palau. This project is funded by the U.S. Department of
Interior, which reimburses WFP Volunteers for travel expenses incurred during this project.
Over the course of the System Evaluation process, WFP volunteers have spent considerable time in the
remote, rural villages of Palau. We are determining the condition of their community water systems and
making recommendations for their eventual update and improvement, which also includes training of Treatment
Plant Operators at these rural facilities.
During the process of this study, we have
identified a most compelling need for immediate
assistance at the 11 Head Start School
Facilities located in these villages. Based on
specific site observations, discussions with
teachers and the results of laboratory test results
performed by the Environmental Quality
Protection Board (EQPB) - the equivalent
of our USEPA - the water available to the children
at these facilities is contaminated and
not fit to drink.
Each Head Start facility has a roof catchment
system that collects and stores rain water
that the children and teachers use as their
continued on page 12
8 AWWA/Hawaii Section Winter 2006