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News
Tackling Americas Access to Clean Water one Well at a Time
This past week the Vinyl Institute partnered with the Water Well Trust (WWT) to provide safe drinking water to a local family in Wakefield, Virginia. The Schod family, a family of six, received a donated water well system which included well drilling, an HP pump (10 GPM), and a 20-gallon tank.
The Schod family originally had a water well that was only 14 feet deep (wells for drinking water should be at least 100ft deep so surface contaminants cannot enter the well). They frequently needed to install new pumps because of brown residue appearing in their water supply. A family member has developed kidney stones and the doctors believe some of the cause is due to their water quality. Not only was their quality of water poor, but their well was also low producing and would often take 8 hours to replenish any water supply they did have.
“You don’t understand what you have done for my family, how much freedom you have provided us,” said one of the Schod boys. “We can now move on with a new peace in our hearts. I didn’t know people were still this kind.”
Creason Well Drilling of Zuni, Virginia, was the contractor for the job. The VI contributed funds to cover the cost of PVC pipe for well casing. And in addition to the new water well, volunteers also repainted the Schod’s back porch, planted shrubs and bushes, and installed a weed barrier and mulch for the children’s play area, as well as trim around the house.
“It is hard to believe that there are families here in the United States that do not have access to clean drinking water,” said Ned Monroe, VI President/CEO. “The mission of the Water Well Trust and the Waterboys is important and our members are happy to support their efforts to help families like the Schods.”
WWT is a national nonprofit providing clean water supply to American families. This project was a united effort between Waterboys, and Xylem’s Inc’s Watermark Program. Waterboys is a foundation that helps bring awareness and funding to low-income families who do not have access to clean water. Watermark is Xylem’s corporate social responsibility program that provides education and equitable access to safe water and sanitation around the world. This was the VI’s fourth time partnering with the organizations.