Melbourne, 22 October 2007
Communities in rural Kenya are now drinking clean water thanks to a Siemens Australia sponsored project which has won the global 2007 Siemens Corporate Responsibility Award.
The Safe Water Kiosk project, a collaboration between Siemens Australia, SkyJuice Foundation, the International River Foundation and Tweed Shire Council Employees scheme, uses Siemens low cost water filtration units to produce clean, life saving drinking water for people from Obambo-Kadenge Village, in West Kenya, 11 hours by road from Nairobi.
“This project demonstrates that world best potable water technology is affordable for even the poorest communities and can save lives and enhance the human spirit,” said Rhett Butler, Siemens Industrial Automation & Control Water Technologies Business Development Manager.
Mr Butler, also Chairman of the SkyJuice Foundation which provides water solutions to developing countries around the world, said the project is improving the living conditions and quality of life in rural Kenya.
“The low cost water filtration units are the ideal solution to supply clean water to communities throughout the developing world. The SkyJuice Foundation uses the water filtration units for humanitarian purposes and in disaster relief situations,” Mr Butler said.
Albert Goller, Siemens Chairman and Managing Director, said: “This project highlights the importance our company places on collaborating with volunteer organisations such as the SkyJuice Foundation to share the benefits of our expertise and make a difference where it is needed most.
“One billion people around the world have no reliable access to clean drinking water. Siemens and its staff are committed to using our innovations to create a better world for current and future generations.”
The SkyHydrant water filtration unit uses a low pressure membrane water filter to produce safe drinking water which is completely sustainable. The system operates under as little as one metre gravity head and without the need for electric power for the filtration process. The membrane removes suspended solids, bacteria, protozoa, has limited virus removal and exceeds World Health Organisation standards for drinking water.