By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A water-purification charity based in Eumemmerring is creating large ripples across the world.
Disaster Aid Australia’s inexpensive and simple Sky Hydrants are providing clean water in more than 200 rural schools and villages in Bhutan, India, Columbia and the Philippines.
These life-changing instruments, installed for $5000 each, remove all bacteria from 10,000 litres of water a day. That’s enough to sustain a community of 700, or a school of 1000 students.
“It provides safe drinking water for less than a dollar per person per day,” says DAA chief executive Brian Ashworth.
The hydrant requires no electricity or chemicals, and little maintenance but a simple clean. The filter membrane is good for 10 years.
The project was shortlisted in the Energy Globe 2018 international awards. It made the top 16 out of more than 2000 entries, and was ranked as the best from Australia.
Disaster Aid Australia was formed by the Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills. With two part-time staff and loyal volunteers, it delivers more than $250,000 of overseas aid, including disaster relief.
It aims to provide clean water to every major school in Bhutan by 2020. It has provided 40 Sky Hydrants to the schools – about a third of its target of 120.
Mr Ashworth, a retired water engineer and former manager at South Gippsland Water, quickly saw the utility of DAA’s work.
“It’s what was needed in the developing world.
“It’s low cost and very easy to operate.
“Over my career I’ve seen high-tech solutions that break down and there’s no one there to fix them.
“It’s no good having a high-tech plant if you need to fly in someone from Australia when something breaks.”
The hydrants are eradicating common illnesses in the communities.
“That’s a big thing. Because children are ill less often, their education improves.
“Because people aren’t buying bottled water from the supermarket, the amount of disposable bottles disappears.”
DAA is always after more volunteers and donors to help spread its good work in Timor Leste and Ghana.
To help go to disasteraidaustralia.org.au
