Water on wheels for 79 Nelson Mandela Bay schools

World Vision SA and Ford’s Water on Wheels project is ready to roll, with 79 schools in KwaNobuhle near Uitenhage in line to get clean drinking water whenever assistance is needed.

According to World Vision SA, over the next two years the project will assist the 79 schools, 50 early childhood development centres and at least four clinics, along with an estimated 3,400 households.

Mounted on a custom-built heavy-duty double-axle trailer, the contraption comprises a Watergen GEN-350 atmospheric water generator that is able to produce up to 900l of water a day. It is powered by a diesel generator that ensures the system is completely mobile and can be operated in any location.

The system includes multimedia air filtration and integrated water purification technology to ensure the water it generates is clean and drinkable, regardless of air quality.

The system also has a builtin internal reservoir with continuous treatment that circulates the water to keep it fresh.

Air is filtered in, and through heat exchange technology, water is produced. The water is then filtered and purified until it is perfect for consumption.

World Vision SA’s Chikondi Phiri said the aim of the project was to give back, particularly to drought-stricken communities in the province.

“The Eastern Cape has been severely impacted by drought in recent years, and the poorest communities are the hardest hit.”

At the launch of the project, hosted at Eastern Cape Motors Ford North End in Port Elizabeth on Friday, those attending were able to test the water quality.

The innovative mobile water-generation project, launched by World Vision SA, was funded by the Bill Ford Better World Challenge, the Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford Research and Advanced Engineering.

Managing director of Ford Motor Company SA, Neale Hill, said the brand was committed to supporting the communities in which it operated through a wide range of volunteer programmes, and through grants awarded by the Ford Motor Company Fund.

“Water is a basic and essential human need, and the World Vision project comes at the perfect time to address the drought that has heavily impacted the Eastern Cape and Nelson Mandela Bay recently.

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact this watergenerating initiative will have on the communities and organisations that need it most, and Ford is honoured to be associated with World Vision as it makes a real difference in people’s lives,” he said.

World Vision SA was a winner of the 2018 Bill Ford Better World Challenge and was awarded a grant of $200,000 (about R2.8m) for its pioneering concept to address the drought affecting the Eastern Cape.

Additional funding of $130,000 (about R1.9m) was awarded by Ford Research and Advanced Engineering.

The system includes multi-media air filtration and integrated water purification technology to ensure the water it generates is clean and drinkable