In June the first prototypes of CLEAN WATER KITS were delivered to the families: with the collaboration of ACQUATRAVEL Ltd., Fabio Viviani, a water expert, and Massimo Annibale Rossi, president of Vento di Terra NGO, visited two informal camps, working on water analysis, training to the families and how to use the kit properly.

“Vento di Terra today presented to the refugee families the kit for water purification. The welcome was very warm … Each tent, where live up to 15 people, has its own tank. We gave advice on the provision, maintenance of tanks and water treatment. People listened to us carefully, trying again and again the system, asking questions, sometimes naive, sometimes fundamental, “the bacteria die when the water freezes?”. “All bacteria are eliminated when the water is brought to boiling?”. Hits this awareness of the pitfalls associated with water and poor hygiene, although often the situation is out of control. Some children suffer from intestinal verminosis and dysentery, infections among adults are common. Fields are invaded by flies, attracted by decomposing waste. We did not do discounts, highlighting each source of contamination and the relationship between the flies, faecal streptococci in water cisterns and intestinal diseases.”– tells Massimo Annibale Rossi.

One of the informal camps visited present a different problem: is located on leased land to a nearby farmer, for which the community reciprocates with agricultural work. The water that reaches the field, however, is the same used for irrigation. After the necessary water analysis by Fabio Viviani, it is clear that the water is not drinkable, being traces of chemical agents. “Water has a characteristic blue color,” – explains Fabio – “traces of verdigris and chemicals are also evident on the ground. Greenish particles floating on the considered drinking water.”

After careful inspection of the track to the source, comes the solution: a derivation to the source, with the installation of an autoclave and 1,700 meters of pipe that will bring clean water to the refugee camp. Meanwhile, Vento di Terra compensates the lack of clean water distributing coupons for the water supply through tankers provided by private companies.