Safe drinking water for Thai school children

Goals overview

To provide around 200 children with clean and safe drinking water. To make them (and the teachers and villagers) aware of the importance and necessity of access to safe drinking water. To teach them about the dangers of using dirty water and the consequences of drinking contaminated water. To create an economically sustainable system with "extension" to surrounding houses and villages. Project for 1 school is part of "moving to a program".

Current status

Project waiting for funding to start.

Project plan

Schools have large surface for roofwater harvesting. NE Thailand has tradition to collect and store rainwater
Storage in number of large concrete tanks per school; total contents 50.000 – 80.000 liters; often in bad condition
No water distribution system: one faucet at bottom tank. Rainwater collected unsafe to drink because of birds droppings, dead animals drown in storage tanks. Therefore “drinking water” mixture containing pathogenic bacteria: E-coli and Coliform
Replace/renovate existing system: repair, extend storage tanks, install new gutters, pipes, secure proper first flush and sedimentation. Install RainPC® unit for turning rainwater into drinking water. Install 2x 200 liter buffer tanks with floats to secure safe, preserved drinking water so more children can drink at same time (green smiley). Install waterthrough with faucets for 3 liter/min. For household water separate faucets (with red smiley). Works on gravity pressure, without any chemicals (no chlorine); can also work on pump pressure
No chemicals (chlorine). Silver and copper ions eliminate bacteria and algae

Silver (Ag+) and copper (Cu2+) penetrate bacterial. Cell wall, disrupt DNA and inhibit bacteria reproduction
Silver plus copper work synergetically (1+1=3). Copper effective against algae. Simple and durable rainwater purification and preservation when combined with activated carbon as in RainPC. No taste, smell or colour. Tested and approved by water laboratories in Mexico, the Netherlands.

Expected outcomes

• Awareness among children and teachers
• Improved health
• Less school absence
• Spreading the word by bringing water home from school

By placing 6 goats at the schoolyard we generate finance for maintenance. Their offspring will be sold by HOAT and this money will be used to replace the filter cartridges when necessary. Other ideas of the school’s principal and teachers to generate money to replace the cartridges will be considered as they show up. HOAT stays in control of the system and the school’s principal signs an agreement in which he declares to cooperate with HOAT in order to keep the system functioning. Small maintenance of the system will be carried out by the school caretaker. HOAT will be able to perform maintenance that the school is not able to take care of. HOAT will continue to monitor the school’s system which is possible by having “HOAT people” present in the area. 4 schools have been equipped already and more will follow, creating multiplying and effects, and also ensuring sustainibility.