Carolyn Meub
Executive Director, Pure Water for the World

"We have learned much over the past decade. What's very exciting is that the technology exists today to deliver safe water solutions to people across our planet. We no longer need to focus on the technology of making safe water accessible. Rather the focus is shifting to sustainability. Governments, multi- and bi-laterals, and NGOs are now understanding and focusing on the critical importance of local education to promote and sustain behavioural changes. The concept of installing water and sanitation systems, in combination with hygiene education and follow up monitoring and evaluation, is gaining wider spread acceptance and incorporation. This full process is essential to truly sustainable water solutions. There is also movement toward greater collaboration, organizations coming together for the collective impact of solving the global water crisis.

For years, Pure Water for the World has focused on delivering systems that include local education, training and follow up monitoring. Most recently, we have partnered with organizations like CAWST (Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology) to set up Water Expertise and Training (WET) Centers in both Haiti and Honduras. Our staff teaches government agencies, local organizations and other NGOs about the causes of waterborne disease and how to prevent them in simple, sustainable ways. They, in turn, train people in their organizations and the education continues to spread. This gives us exponential reach in terms of getting hygiene education out to more communities. We continue to look for opportunities to expand our work in this area through new partnerships.

My hope is that we find the political will to solve this global health crisis. I hope that governments, corporations, multi- and bi-laterals, and NGOs find the common space to work together, closing the gap of those who have access to WASH services with those who do not. I hold firmly that there will be a day when future generations will not know the pain, suffering and struggle of waterborne illnesses. "