HAWAII

In March 2017, as part of a humanitarian effort for World Water Day, The Waterbearers Co-Founders Erin Toppenberg and Jane Brinton, along with Waves For Water Executive Director, Christian Troy, traveled to the Big Island to provide 100 filter systems and sustainability training to residents looking for a simple economic solution for safe drinking water.

Adding to Hawaii’s water issues is an outbreak of the Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) disease.  Carried from SE Asia to Hawaii by rats and then transferred to slugs and snails, this parasite is transmitted to humans by ingesting slugs, slug slime, contaminated fruits and vegetables, uncooked food, and contaminated water. Cases of this disease have risen sharply on the Big Island where over 75% of the slugs are infected. Fortunately, The Waterbearers water systems filter out this dangerous parasite.

The team distributed filter systems to three different community centers that work with underserved populations who cannot afford bottled water and could really benefit from having the filter systems to sterilize rain catchment water.  In addition, they demonstrated and donated filter systems to a community emergency volunteer group, who are responsible for providing shelter, food, and water in case of any kind of emergency evacuation.

PROJECT Completed

LOCATION Big Island, HI

REACH 131 Filters distributed to local residents with the potential to reach 13000 people.