Feb 8 2010
FilterPure and their partners Global Effect and other NGOs announced today a ground breaking ceremony in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti for a new water filtration factory. The FilterPure factory will employ Haitians to build, manufacture and distribute the FilterPure filters that eliminate 99.9% of antimicrobial contaminants that cause water-borne illnesses and deaths.
The factory will begin production of the water filters in 30 days and can produce initially up to 2,000 filters monthly with plans to increase production to 3,000 as workers are trained and additional equipment added. One filter will provide a family of 6 with enough clean water for 5 years and costs $30 to manufacture.
A FilterPure filter is a round ceramic pot made of clay, a combustible material like saw dust or rice husks and a naturally occurring antibacterial called colloidal silver. Charcoal is produced in the filter to improve color and taste. The filters are fitted with a 5-gallon bucket and a tap to access the clean water.
FilterPure partners' Global Effect and other NGOs are currently on the ground in Haiti distributing to earthquake victims filters transported 120 miles from a neighboring factory in the Dominican Republic.
"The water system in Port-au-Prince is non-existent and without water filtration," states Lisa Ballantine, Executive Director of FilterPure, "tens of thousands more will die from waterborne diseases. As a demonstration of my love, commitment and devotion to Haitians, I will shave my head Saturday on the street in Port-au-Prince. I am calling on all American women to consider donating $30, the cost of a haircut, to provide a lifesaving water filter to a family affected by the tragic earthquake."
Source: http://www.filterpurefilters.org/