REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — H2OpenDoors (http://www.h2opendoors.org/), a project of Rotary Club International, announced today that the SunSpring™ is a finalist in the AidEx 2013 technology awards. Manufactured by Innovative Water Technologies of Colorado, SunSpring™ units are the keystone of Rotary's efforts to overcome the dire realities of contaminated drinking water in the developing world. These innovative, life-saving filtration systems have already made a remarkable impact in the most desperate regions of Haiti, helping that nation to recover from a devastating earthquake and numerous hurricanes. The systems are also operational in Africa and Asia providing relief in harsh conditions.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131107/PH12798 )
The Aid Innovation Challenge (AidEx) in Brussels, Belgium, recognizes individuals and businesses that have made significant breakthroughs in improving the lives of those in the developing world. AidEx provides a showcase for unique products and services in the areas of food and water, logistics and communication, medicine, and shelter.
"H2OpenDoors is not surprised that the SunSpring™ has earned global recognition. We already know that it is a remarkable piece of technology that's helping us change lives," explained Jon Kaufman, member of Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club. "Contaminated drinking water continues to be one of the most stubborn obstacles in the developing world; SunSpring™ has shown itself to be a viable solution."
According to a United Nations fact sheet, most of the world's 7-plus billion people live in the developing world; likewise, the bulk of population growth over the next several decades will occur in those same regions of Asia, the Middle East and Africa. It's therefore critical that economical and effective solutions to the problem of unsafe drinking water be instituted today. Overhauling and, in some cases, creating national infrastructures will also be necessary, but such efforts take time. Meanwhile, ordinary people bear the burden of chronic illness and early mortality that results from contaminated water.
SunSpring™ technology makes the work of the H2OpenDoors possible by providing a sustainable, versatile, high-volume filtration unit. By not relying on pre-existing infrastructure, these units are ideal for both disaster recovery situations and the developing world. The technology is portable, self-contained and powered entirely by solar panels and wind. Peak capacity of the SunSpring™ unit exceeds 20,000 liters a day, and the operation life is a minimum of 10 years.
Improvements to community health are readily apparent following the installation of the SunSpring™ unit. Last February, H2OpenDoors installed a system in Huayjakan village in Thailand's Chiang Mai province; at the same time, a health baseline survey was carried out amongst the 2,500 local residents. More than a quarter of those surveyed were suffering from chronic diarrhea, a telltale symptom of E. coli contamination, which was traced to the village's primary water source. A follow-up survey conducted five months after installation showed a 75% reduction in incidence of diarrhea.
About H2OpenDoors
The ongoing project of two Rotary Clubs in Redwood City, California, H2OpenDoors works to bring clean, safe water to the people who need it most. In February 2013, local high school students joined H2OpenDoors on a trip to northern Thailand to install two SunSpring™ units at different hill tribe villages; they will return in February 2014 to help establish the village water sales business. They will also install a system in Myanmar at a school suffering from contaminated water sources.
About Peninsula Sunrise Rotary
Rotary is a nonpolitical, private organization of community leaders dedicated to humanitarian projects. The promotion of peace, health and wellbeing is the mission of Rotary International.
Contact:
Jon Kaufman
Peninsula Sunrise Rotary
969 Industrial Road
San Carlos, CA 94070
650-520-6873
www.H2opendoors.org