Wine to Water helping to address Westmoreland’s woes

Western Bureau:

Residents in water-stressed communities across Westmoreland are now better able to access safe drinking water, thanks to the distribution of 500 water filters, courtesy of Wine to Water, a global charity.

The filters, which were distributed on February 19, saw allocations made to councillors, community leaders, schools, and health officials across the parish. Among the beneficiaries was Broughton Primary School, where 50 filters were handed over to parents and staff during a demonstration session.

Councillor Lidden Lewis of the Frome Division, Councillor Ian Myles of the Little London Division, and Councillor Julian Chang, of the North Savanna-la-Mar Division were each given 100 filters for distribution in their areas. The remaining filters were handed over to Father Colin King of the Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Church.

Wine to Water works to bring safe, clean drinking water to communities that don’t have easy access to it.

Gerald Miller, the health promotion and education officer for Westmoreland, told The Gleaner that the initiative stemmed from a media report highlighting the work of Global Medic, another charity organisation, during post-Hurricane Melissa relief efforts.

“Today at Broughton Primary, we distributed 50 of the Wine to Water filters, and this is an activity that was spearheaded by Rosa Young,” Miller said, referring to the proprietor of Wavz Beach in Negril.

“This initiative came out of the article that [ The Gleaner] would have written with Global Medic.”

Miller explained that representatives of Wine to Water saw the article online and subsequently reached out to Young, who facilitated the connection.

As a result, 500 filters were secured for Westmoreland. Of that number, 90 were allocated to the Westmoreland Health Department, 50 were distributed at Broughton Primary School, and 40 within the Grange community in Westmoreland.

“I (went) to Broughton Primary to do a demonstration on how to utilise the filter to purify the water because in those areas, Broughton doesn’t have access to potable water,” Miller explained.

He further noted that residents in the area relied heavily on trucked water or rainwater harvesting.

“It was an area that was very ideal for those kinds of filters,” he said.

According to Miller, approximately 50 people, including teachers and ancillary staff, attended the session.

“We gave them the filters and demonstrated to them how to utilise them. And the teachers and the parents were very happy. We are happy for those kinds of partnerships because water is life as we all know,”said Miller.

According to Miller, The Drop Filter is an easy-to-use water filter. It works by pouring water into the bucket which slowly filters through the device at the bottom, removing harmful germs before it is used. Tests show that the filter removes almost all bacteria, including E. coli as well as parasites that can cause illness.

FILTER FEATURES

It also traps very tiny particles such as microplastics, but it does not remove chemicals or salt from water. The filter can, however, be cleaned and reused, allowing families to safely filter drinking water with minimal effort.

Marva Davis-Clarke, principal of Broughton Primary School, said the donation would bring immediate relief to families.

“The donation of water filters to the school community is beneficial in that persons can now filter their own water, and they will now have safe drinking water,” she said.

“There will be reduced water-borne illnesses, and these filters will alleviate financial burden on families who would normally purchase bottled water.

“They will be drinking more water, which will result in greater health benefits.”

Davis-Clarke also highlighted the severity of the water crisis affecting the community.

“Water in Broughton is a scarce commodity. It has become so expensive for persons to purchase this basic need. The pipes are there, but there is no water running in [them],” she said. “And when it does come, maybe once in a blue moon, only persons who have attached [a] pump can get water.”

She also re-emphasised that many residents are forced to buy water from trucks at a high cost and called for a long-term solution to the problem.

“We can safely say that there’s no water in Broughton, and we would love to get some in our pipes. What exactly is happening? We are not sure, but we would really like the situation to be resolved,” she said.

In the meantime, Young expressed gratitude to the international charity and its partners.

“So grateful to Wine To Water,” Young said, also revealing that discussions were under way to secure additional filters.

“Thanks to Sharon Simms, a Jamaican in England, from Xylem. She wants to help with another [set of] filters,” Young added.

Simms, who works with Xylem Water Solutions and Water Technology Jamaica, said her involvement was driven by a desire to give back to Jamaica.

“I was born (and) grew up in Jamaica … so [I’m] just being someone from Jamaica trying to help. That’s all,” she said.

Simms explained that the company partners with charities through its corporate social responsibility programme and collaborated with Wine to Water in response to the disaster.

“When things like this happen, we work with our partners … on this occasion, it was Wine to Water,” she said. “They were able to get 500 filters in Jamaica.”

Reflecting on her own upbringing, she added, “I grew up in the country… where, you know, we struggle with water as well. So, I know what it is like.”

While further assistance is being explored, Simms noted that logistical challenges remained.

“It takes so long in getting things cleared when these things get sent in. It would be nice to have a smoother process once it hits the country,” she said.

Despite this, she remains hopeful.

“If I can help anymore … we’ll do our best and see what we can do,” she said.

mickalia.kington@gleanerjm.com