Clean water is vital: Simple steps save lives around the world

All the heat this past week makes us grateful for the abundance of water in Independence. Independence water comes from wells on the banks of the Missouri River, known as the Missouri River Alluvial Aquifer. Water is so plentiful that the city supplies water to Lee’s Summit and Blue Springs. Kansas City’s water comes from the Missouri River; not the aquifer.

“The city of Independence Water Department has the ability to pump 48 million gallons per day,” said Dan Montgomery, director of the Independence Water Department. “The daily average is about 30 MGD and our record highest day was 44 MGD, which was set in 2006. The department performs over 50,000 tests each year before, during, and after treatment from approved and certified laboratories. Independence water is ranked No. 4 in the country.”

Independence water is considered moderately hard and is about 110-120 parts per million or 6-7 grains per gallon. A disinfectant known as a chloramine residual made of ammonia and chlorine is added. Our water contains approximately 0.3 parts per million of naturally occurring fluoride; no fluoride is added. The sodium content is approximate 55 parts per million. The pH of the water runs around 9.6-9.9.

I don’t understand all of that, but in short, it is pure and safe.



Third World countries

Other parts of the world are not as fortunate as we are. Imagine living your life knowing that your next drink of water could kill you. Every day more than 5,000 people die from water-related illnesses, and 2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation facilities. There is a water crisis for the most vulnerable of populations – the world’s poor – most living in abject poverty, getting by on less than $2 per day.

Unsafe water and poor sanitation comprise the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. One organization, the American Water Works Association, is trying to do something about it. It sponsors a program, Water for People, which uses water and sanitation-related programs as catalysts for change to put an end to needless suffering and death from so many preventable diseases.

“It is women and children that are hurt most by lack of water and sanitation. They often walk four to five miles a day carrying 44 pounds of water on their heads,” said Karen Kelley, production manager, city of Independence Water Department. “Without a well, it takes a woman about 60 percent of her day to collect water. She has no time to raise a family or to improve her family’s economic lifestyle by opening a store, or making art and textiles to sell.”

Kelley further commented that without a well, children must collect water along with their mothers and have no time to attend school. Nearly 2 million children die each year from water-related illness. Many children are not named until they are 5 years old, because they are not expected to live.

Water for People’s role is that of a facilitator, bringing people together to solve the problem and improve their lives. It has established a year-round presence in Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, India and Malawi and is expanding into the Dominion Republic, Rwanda and Uganda. The organization provides standpipes, storage pipes, contamination tanks, latrines, water kiosks and places to do laundry. The work is done and maintained by the people in the community.

Both Kelley and Montgomery represent the Independence Water Department in this international organization, which can be found also in Canada and Mexico. If you are interested in joining to help, donating money from your club or organization, or just have an interest, call Karen Kelley at 816-325-7698.