News from Haiti: February 2007

The IAWater team spent February evaluating sites where chlorinators have been installed over the past year to check on maintenance, function ability, and durability.

Jalousie, the longest-running chlorinator, reports no technical problems. Jacques LaGuerre, the coordinator for COJEG, the group in change of Jalousie's water system and chlorinator, couldn't be happier with the chlorinator. He says everyday residents tell him how happy they are that they don't have to pay extra for drinking water. A mother near the cistern at the time of the evaluation said, "It is a miracle that your organization brought us clean water. We are so grateful that our children don't get sick like they used to. Mont Jolie and Trousable also evaluated well, with the only issue being the sporadic delivery of water at Trousable, which the IAWater team plans on discussing with Ministry officials.

The Hopital Communaute Hatienne's chlorinator is working very well. The hospital has reduced overuse of the chlorine tablets by restricting use of the treated water for drinking and medical purposes. At Hopital Fermathe, doctors have reported the chlorinator has aided tremendously in the sanitation of their surgical room.

The director of the Kenscoff Orphanage reported that the chlorinator has allowed the group to save money now that they do not have to purchase clean drinking water. He said the money can now go towards other needs of the children like school supplies and equipment for handicapped children.

The father of the church in Malique where a chlorinator was installed has reported that his parish not longer has to buy bottled water and is much happier with the taste of the water treated by the chlorinator, compared to the bottled water. The process used to purify bottled water also removes all nutrients from the water, which chlorinators leave in.

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