ENPHO E-Bulletin November 2010
<h3>EDITORIAL</h3><p>On 4th November, ENPHO celebrated its 20th Anniversary. The past two decades have been very interesting and fruitful for ENPHO and all its members and staff. As we look at the past we have a lot to be proud of and much to celebrate. But this is not a time to rest on our laurels. We need to take advantage of all that we have learnt and built over the past two decades to address issues of today. As the saying goes, “Past is history, Future is mystery, present is a gift.” The month of November, we also celebrated Global Handwashing Day and the International Toilet Day. As 57 percent of the Nepalese still defecate in the open every day and washing hands with soap at critical times, such as before means or after using the toilet, is still not a regular practice for most Nepalese, we have much to do to ensure that proper sanitation and hygiene is a regular practice among all Nepalese and this leads to healthy citizens and a prosperous nation.</p>
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<h3>WATASOL FOR SAFE WATER AND HEALTHY NEPAL</h3>
<p>Without water, life would not exist. It is a prerequisite for all human and economic development. Yet today, nearly 884 million people – about one in eight – lack access to clean water. Nepal is ranked among the countries with the poorest health profile in the world. Lack of safe drinking water supply and sanitation facilities have resulted in worsening public health conditions, deteriorating quality of life and increased economic costs.</p>
<p>Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA) established in 1987, has been promoting Safe Drinking Water Campaign in Nepal since 2008 by using Antenna’s WATA electro-chlorinators. The chlorinator device produces a solution of active chlorine concentrate (WATASOL) through the process of electrolysis in salt solution. It can be powered by a normal electrical current or a solar panel. The standard WATA takes 1 hour and the mini WATA takes 8 hours of electrolysis to produce 1 lt of active chlorine solution (WATASOL), which can purify over 4000 liters of water.</p>
<p>Only 3 drops of WATASOL is needed per liter of contaminated water to kill the harmful pathogens that cause a variety of waterborne diseases, thus making the water safe to drink. Using WATASOL to purify water is cheaper, easier, more practical and more effective than other water purification methods, especially in poorer rural areas. ECCA has tested several Mini-WATAs through schools and Standard WATA through community drinking water systems and through entrepreneurs. In this context, the following activities have been conducted to promote this innovative approach for safe water.</p>
<p><strong>Strategy for Mini WATA and standard WATA:</strong> <br />
To focus the margins and profitability of the delivery systems of WATASOL, the strategy for Mini WATA and Standard WATA was developed which promotes the WATASOL approach into a franchising model. These plans include production and distribution plan of WATASOL in schools and community in three sizes flasks: 1000ml, 200ml, 50ml, investment, no. of months for the payback of the investments and sharing of income among the stakeholders.</p>
<p><strong>Pilot projects in different districts of Nepal:</strong> <br />
ECCA has reached ten districts; Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Morang, Jhapa, Rupandhehi, Accham, Illam, Sunsari and Chitwan for the implementation of safe drinking water program and is planning to reach several other districts in future. Till December 15, 2010 ECCA has already implemented safe drinking water program in 31 schools, 3 community drinking water supply system, 1 Hospital in Accham, 13 communities and also implemented 3 Entrepreneur model in different parts of Nepal.</p>
<p><strong>WATASOL Distribution to Flood Victims</strong> <br />
ECCA produced Chlorine solution in its office premises for the relief of flood victims during the time of flood disaster in the month of August, 2008 in Eastern Nepal. ECCA prepared 20 litres of WATASOL, filled it in two 10 litre jerry cans and distribute it in the areas where flood victims were having the water borne diseases. The supplied WATASOL was sufficient to treat 80,000 litres of water.</p>
<p><strong>Orientation and Training in schools and communities:</strong> <br />
Nearly 600 people from school, community drinking water supply system and community have been trained in production and quality control of chlorine and drinking water. Around 5000 people were sensitized on chlorine as a simple alternative technique of water disinfection.</p>
<p><stront>Materials for Promotion of WATASOL:</strong> <br />
For the promotion of WATASOL, ECCA has already developed some supporting materials such as flasks (50ml, 200ml and 1000ml), stickers, posters, flex, flyers, information board, t-shirts, caps, bags and flip charts.</p>
<p><strong>Promotional Events:</strong> <br />
ECCA has organized different programs in schools as well as in communities to create awareness on water purification through chlorination. In Lalit Kalyan Kendra Lower Secondary School of Lalitpur a speech competition was organized. In July 2010 inter school drama competition was organized for the schools of Eastern Nepal and similar program was also organized for the schools of Kathmandu Valley in Sep 6-8, 2010. Similarly door to door campaign for safe drinking water has been implementing in Morang (East Nepal) from 1st week of December 2010.</p>
<p><strong>Safe Drinking Water program in slum areas of Kathmandu Valley</stront> <br />
To overcome water and sanitation problem in the slum areas, ECCA has also started program on safe drinking water in the slum of Kathmandu Valley. ECCA is promoting WATASOL in the slum area for water disinfection as well as for sanitation. WATASOL is produced by using WATA device and distributed in 50ml, 200ml and 1000ml bottles. Till September 15, 2010 ECCA has promoted WATASOL in 10 different slums of Nepal.</p>
<p><strong>Coordination with different NGO’s:</strong> <br />
Safe Drinking Water program is implementing in different new places with the support of different NGO’s. ECCA and Rotary club of Patan jointly organized one day training for different schools of Lalitpur on June 2010.</p>
<p>The program was also started in Bhandara, Chitwan (around 170km from Kathmandu). One day training on the use of Chlorinator was conducted in the month of July, in the coordination with Shanti Griha, a not for profit organization, established in 2001, working with a multi - pronged approach addressing human beings spiritual, physical, intellectual, as well as development needs.</p>
<p><strong>For more information on WATASOL, please contact:</strong> <br />
ECCA, Phone: 5553870, 5550452, Email: ecca@mos.com.np This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Url: www.ecca.org.np</p>
<strong align="right"> <em>- By Sushila Khadgi, Program Officer, ECCA</em></strong><br /> <br /></p>"</p>"</p>"</p>"