Water Systems
The water systems we install impact anywhere from 100-3,500 children per year, dependent upon the site, as well as staff members and their families and surrounding community members.

The systems most frequently used are ultrafiltration (UF) and ultraviolet (UV) water purification systems; the same ones used in most bottling plants and hospitals here in the United States but on a smaller scale, capable of cleaning 300-600 gallons per hour every hour around the clock.

The systems rid the water of virtually all bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, which are the single biggest health problem for the children we assist. The systems have had a great success in eradicating dysentery and other common stomach maladies in these sites which cause severe stress to the health and sometimes death to many of these already malnourished children.

We are fluent in installations of other purification techniques, such as slow sand filtration, reverse osmosis and distillation; however, for impacting the highest number of impoverished children in predominantly urban settings, we have seen through a decade of first-hand experience that proper filtration, subsequent use of UF and UV purification technology and adequate storage ensures exceptionally safe and clean drinking water for sites with severe water quality issues. With proper care and maintenance, the systems provide clean water for several years without any issues.

Our goal is to provide fulltime ACR staff and support in every country we work in as well as secondary support through our partner organizations in those countries and tertiary support from the onsite staff, whom we directly train. This tri-level safety approach is absolutely necessary for sustainability and tremendously successful. When coupled with top-tier purification equipment, reliable spare parts and provisions, and routine water testing and maintenance, we are always aware of the efficacy of the systems and integrity of the water we provide.

There is a lot of room for misguided giving on behalf of charitable organizations and a tremendous amount of room for failure in setting up sustainable practices. Working with high-end water filtration and purification equipment in impoverished and underdeveloped settings is certainly no exception and it requires constant diligence, attention, training, monitoring, maintenance and in-country support to be successful. Otherwise, the water provided becomes questionable, and therefore should be considered unsafe, and the equipment installed simply, and sadly, becomes very expensive wall art!

From start to finish each project is documented with video and photos so donors know exactly how their money is spent and are able to see the equipment installation, the facility it is installed in, the staff who work on behalf of the children there, and, most importantly, dozens of photos of the children impacted by the system. Donors will also have a commemorative plaque installed next to the system engraved with their names and a personal message to the children which will last for years to come.

To learn more about water issues, please see our water resource page.