Program Brings Clean Water to Remote Haitian Village

A Pall Aria water filtration system is providing clean drinking water to residents of Grande-Saline, a remote village in northwest Haiti. The system was donated by Pall Corp. as part of the State University of New York (SUNY) Broome’s Health for Haiti program and began providing water to villagers in early March.

The installed system is a smaller version of the Pall Aria membrane systems used in municipal water treatment plants around the world. It draws up to 22 gal of river water per minute, filtering out harmful bacteria and pathogens, including cholera and Giardia.

“Clean water is basic and fundamental for human health,” said Jennifer Musa, Biology professor at SUNY Broome and co-instructor of the Health for Haiti program. “It’s easy for those of us who enjoy clean water every day to take it for granted, but there are many in our global community who do not have access to safe water. This collaboration has enabled us to provide a community in Haiti with access to clean, safe water. Not only has it benefited the people in Haiti, it has also provided a life-changing experience for our students.”

Haiti is the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation. SUNY Broome’s Health for Haiti program is a comprehensive, multi-faceted undertaking involving multiple partners that include corporations, local companies and area residents willing to donate their time, skill and funds.

“The launch of this Pall Aria system in Haiti is an extremely significant achievement,” said Jodi Tate, vice president of operations, Pall Process Systems. “Pall is honored to join the SUNY Broome team in providing a solution which enables the people of Grande-Saline to meet a very basic, yet very critical, human need. We are pleased to share our resources and skills to support a life-improving initiative such as this, and are thankful that our channel partners have contributed to this great cause as well."

The Health for Haiti program also supports three new computer schools which give Haitians access to and training in technology. In addition to the Pall Aria water system, Pall has donated 30 laptops for use in these schools.

Source: Pall Corp.