Have you ever flown to a central Florida airport like Tampa or Orlando? Did you have an opportunity to look out of the window? If so, I bet you saw a remarkable sight. If not, here’s what you missed. You missed the sight of a thousand lakes sparkling in the bright sun. The water from these lakes looks like pieces of a shattered mirror reflecting in the sun. You would never forget the lakes of central Florida from 20,000 feet.
I grew up in Florida. Those lakes define my childhood and my adult experiences. Those lakes provided entertainment and sporting opportunities. I remember water skiing and fishing. I remember learning how to swim before I even thought about going to kindergarten.
After I learned to swim, my grandmother gave me a stern warning. A warning that sounded like this, Woody Milton, you can drown in a gallon of water! Yes, a few ounces of water can kill you. Every year hundreds of children and adults die due to water in the United States. Just a few feet of water have killed two people in the last week here in Indianapolis.
But in Africa, the story of water sounds different. In Africa, a few ounces of water kill thousands of children each day. That’s a few ounces of dirty, polluted, drinking water kill thousands of children each and every day in Africa.
In undeveloped countries like the Congo, about half of the population has access to water from an improved and protected source. Over there, clean and safe water comes from an improved and protected source like what’s in this bottle. You, on the right half of the room can drink this clean and safe water. I am sorry but you people on the left half of the room can drink this water. It may make you sick. Or, a few ounces may kill you. Would you drink this water?
In rural Congolese villages, like the ones where I just visited, fewer people have access to clean and safe water. Only one out of four of you would drink this water. Most naturally occurring water sources are not improved nor protected. A water source must be improved and protected to ensure clean and safe drinking water.
What am I saying? Nature produces virtually clean and safe water. But we must improve and protect these water sources to continue producing clean and safe drinking water. There are three common ways to improve and protect water sources.
First, you must protect naturally occurring water springs. If a village was built near natural water springs, then you apply a cap to the spring. You clear the water spring of any debris. You dig out a drainage ditch. You apply a lay of small pebbles in the bottom of the ditch. You build dam the lower end of the ditch with an open pipe and a concrete retaining wall. Finally, you cover the entire area with plastic sheeting and dirt to protect it.
Secondly, you must capture and protect nature rain water. If a house has a tin roof, you can build or buy a big concrete container. Depending upon the amount and frequency of rain, your vessel can be a 200-gallon jar or as large as a 3,000-gallon underground cistern. The vessel must be covered to keep out animals, dirt, and other pollutants. Also, it should be covered and protected to keep out wondering toddlers.
Thirdly, you might drill a water well to provide access to clean and safe water. A drilled well may be necessary if the other primary water sources become contaminated. Also, some water sources are located miles away from a village. A drilled well frees the girls and young children from spending hours walking each day to and from the water source. In some areas, hand-dug shallow wells can supply clean and safe water. The depth of the water table dictates the type of water well.
Would you like to drink this water? Lack of knowledge and resources keep these rural Congolese from drinking clean and safe water. Your time, your talents, and your treasures can make their water clean and safe to drink. Would you drink this water if a few ounces of dirty, polluted water would kill you?
