P&G pushes powdered water purifier programme
Procter & Gamble (P&G) South Africa has a goal to see 500 000 days of clean water to tackle South Africa's water crises.
LIMPOPO – This initiative forms part of P&G’s global Children’s Safe Drinking Water Programme.
“The drought South Africa has been experiencing has far-reaching consequences, not only in terms of water shortages but also in terms of water pollution. As we have seen, flash flooding, a result of drought, can also wreak devastation on underprivileged communities. An often unacknowledged consequence of these disaster situations is that water sources become severely contaminated, which causes water-borne diseases, poor health and even death, ” explains Khululiwe Mabaso, CSI Associate Director Communications for Sub-Sahara Africa at P&G.
Since 2004, the P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Programme (CSDW) has provided over 11 billion litres of clean water to needy communities around the world. Access to clean water is a global crisis – UNICEF (2014) estimates that 663 million people lack access to improved drinking water; 319 million of these individuals are in Sub-Saharan Africa. To help address this problem, CSDW has provided more than six billion litres of clean drinking water to 40 African countries over the past 12 years through the P&G Purifier of Water packets.
Invented by P&G scientists, each four-gram powdered Purifier of Water packet treats 10 litres of heavily contaminated water by effectively killing bacteria and viruses and removing parasites and solid materials. With only a bucket, a spoon, a cloth and a small P&G Purifier of Water Packet, 10 litres of dirty water can be purified in just 30 minutes.
Commenting on the long-term effects of clean water for needy communities, Mabaso says, “Clean water does not only quench thirst, promote health and prevent unnecessary deaths, it means more people can work, and enhances productivity. In fact, the World Health Organisation has estimated that every $1 (R 12.50) invested in clean water, sanitation and hygiene generates $4 (R 50.00) in increased productivity, which enables sustainable and equitable economic growth.
“Looking towards the future, CSDW has pledged to deliver 15 billion litres of clean water globally by 2020. This will assist in achieving one of the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals – ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. This is one of the projects P&G is working on in partnership with key stakeholders, communities and NGO’s to contribute in improving the lives of the communities in which we work.
“We are working with Gift of the Givers in areas around South Africa, including Limpopo, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Free State and North West, to provide relief on the current shortage of clean water.
“CSDW continues to provide clean water to our neighbouring countries as well to ensure that even more communities have their lives enhanced by this basic human right,” Mabaso concluded.
