Why Our Clean Water Systems are Efficient

Over our decade of experience and innovation, we believe we’ve developed a cost effective, safe, and sustainable way to provide clean drinking water.

HOW IT WORKS

Water is pumped up from the well by pedalling a stationary bicycle driven system, developed by WAH, to provide up to 400 litres per hour. The water is fed through a filter which takes out all bacteria and viruses. Once water is passed through the filter it can be used directly by feeding through to children’s water bottles or storage containers for drinking. Water can also be fed unclean into a tank, and then be filtered later through gravity flow into the filter system. The filter system is called “ultra-filtration”, using long strands, similar to string, called membranes, with a membrane size of 0.01 micron, which takes out all bacteria and viruses. when the water hits the membrane, all bacteria and virus is stopped from entering.

The system has water basins and taps, so the children can wash their hands (with soap made by WAH), and brush their teeth. The system needs no generator, or electricity. It is eco-friendly, locally manufactured, with just one component which needs to be imported, being the filter.

BICYCLE POWERED
Over the years we have tried and tested varying systems, and since introducing the bicycle powered pump system, we have seen a major improvement to the health of children in schools across the province. We have stopped using generators, which need diesel fuel, which cause pollution and are expensive to run. Now the community has a low-cost and environmentally source of clean water.

• WATER STORAGE
  Bicycle driven clean water systems are located at schools, where the children can exercise while pumping water from the well in the playground into a holding tank for hand washing, or directly into their water bottles or water storage containers. The holding tanks are about 2.5 meters above the ground, to provide gravity flow. Bacteria and viruses thrive in damp and warm environments. Water is stored “dirty” rather than “clean” so that when water is needed, “dirty” water is filtered, cleaned, and used immediately. Water can become contaminated by bacteria within twelve hours, so we teach the importance of drinking the water within 12 hours of it coming out of the filter system.

• DOUBLE FILTER
  The filters that we install has a lifespan of 2-4 years. By adding an additional pre- filter, we eliminate larger particles from entering the filter, which will increase the life of the main filter.

• TAPS
  Clean water is accessed on demand through taps. Just like any water tap, you turn it on, and you can trust that the water coming out is safe to drink and use.

WHY IT WORKS

Through our experience and constant communication with local communities by our staff on the ground in Kampong Chhnang, we know that we have created a powerful and sustainable clean water system that works.

We work directly with the school headmaster and teachers, and create a partnership with them. Schools contribute the filter system, which creates empowerment, responsibility, and builds a long term relationship. We are often contacted by schools in the province who have seen our water systems and wish to have one in their school. WAH’s mission is to provide all 549 schools in the province with clean water systems.