|
Singapore, 15 October 2008 - The Singapore Water Association (SWA), Singapore's industry grouping of water and related companies, is taking part in a project to provide displaced victims of the Sichuan earthquake with access to urgently-needed clean and safe water supply.
The Association signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday with Lien Aid, a Singapore nongovernmental organisation, focusing on aid in water and sanitation issues, to design and build a mobile drinking water system to a resettlement camp in Leigu Township in Beichuan County, one of the worst-hit counties in Sichuan. Worth S$400,000, the system will produce roughly 60 cubic metres per day of drinking water using reverse osmosis, as well as another 180 cubic metres per day of ultra-filtrated water for general usage - enough safe, clean water for 10,000 people. A third signatory and member of the SWA, Borouge
Pte Ltd, will contribute pipelaying services for the project. "Ensuring uninterrupted provision of safe drinking water is the most important preventive measure against
outbreaks of water-related diseases," said Mr Tang Kin Fei, President of SWA.
"Through pooling our industry know-how and resources, we hope that this initiative by Singapore water companies and Lien Aid will make a real difference to improving the overall health and living environment of those displaced by the disaster."
Called "A Drop of Hope", the project aims to not only address the acute water needs of the earthquake survivors in Beichuan, but also provide much-needed medium term relief during the community's reconstruction phase, which is estimated to take about two years. The project will be funded by cash and inkind donations from Lien Aid, Borouge and the SWA. Various Singapore water companies - members of SWA - have also come forward to make contributions, including a S$25,000 cash contribution from Sembcorp Industries.
SWA will be responsible for building the system, transporting it to China and carrying out the site installation together with support from Lien Aid and the Sichuan provincial government. Lien Aid will operate the plant with technical support from SWA, in the form of on-site assistance as well as training for local technicians to
enable them to take over the operations and maintenance of the plant eventually. Lien Aid's programme manager will also visit the site regularly to monitor and review the implementation of the project, ensure timely execution, and oversee the disbursement of funds according to the agreed project scope and framework.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Cecilia Tan, Manager
Tel : +65 6515 0812
Email : cecilia@swa.org.sg
Website: www.swa.org.sg
About Singapore Water Association
The Singapore Water Association (SWA) is collaboration among private sector players intent on bringing a new vibrancy to Singapore's growing water industry. The association aspires to play a role in efforts to profile and promote Singapore as a one-stop centre for all water-related services and as a water technology hub.
SWA provides a forum for networking and the inter-change of ideas and knowledge among member companies and provides a platform for networking among members and dissemination of information on emerging business opportunities and new technologies. SWA also serves as an important network link for members to the international water network; contributes to strengthen the presence of Singapore companies in the global market; and acts as a private sector forum for the industry.
About the Sichuan Earthquake & its Impact on Safe & Clean Water Supply
A devastating earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter Scale hit Sichuan on May 12, 2008, taking the lives of nearly 70,000 people and displacing an estimated 15 million from their homes. Affected communities include Beichuan, Qingchuan, Pujiang, as well as cities such as Mianyang, Mianzhu and Dujiangyan.
Most of the power and water facilities in the areas affected by the disaster have been damaged. The disruption of usual water sources and contamination of water by destroyed sewage infrastructure has also resulted in the risk of unsafe drinking water. According to the World Health Organisation, the population displaced by the earthquake face an immediate and high risk of outbreaks of water and sanitation-related diseases such as cholera.
|
