Location
Borova, Borovskoy Rayon, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine
Community Description
Borova is a rayon (county) capital in Eastern Ukraine in the Kharkiv Oblast.
The population of Borova is nearly 7,000, while the population of the rayon is around 18,000. It is located 4 km from the Chervonooskilske Reservoir formed from the Borova and Oskol Rivers.
The first historical information about Borova’s settlement dates back to the year 1670. Borova is an agricultural town where the main crops are wheat, barley, corn, beets, and sunflowers.
The Golden Fish Kindergarten is near the center of town and provides care and shelter for 130 children, ages 1 through 6 years old. The school is open all year around, from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday, to assist working parents with child care. In addition, there are 31 staff members.
The greatest concern expressed by the staff and director of the school for the immediate and long-term need for the children’s well-being is access to healthy, safe drinking water.
The Sanitation and Epidemiology Service (SES) for the local government in Borova conducted six laboratory tests of the drinking water at the Golden Fish Kindergarten in June of 2011. It was determined that the drinking water contained iron and lead levels that exceeded acceptable standards, traces of nitrates and coliform bacteria, and poor organoleptic properties within the drinking water.
Doctors and physicians at the local hospital have treated patients with digestive tract disorders, faintness/nausea, liver and kidney complications, and diarrhea. Many of these health problems are believed to be a direct result of drinking unfiltered water from the local water supply.
Currently, the water is cleaned in the kitchen on the first floor where it is heated through a steamer to generate drinking water. The steamed water is deposited into large buckets until it has cooled down enough to be drinkable.
The steamer was installed in 1986, and the pipes and taps are also around 25 years old. The condition of the steamer and its location are not ideal for healthy, safe drinking water. The current process of preparing drinking water requires a great deal of time and work for the staff in addition to their other duties.
Project Description
This project is to purchase and install a five-step, reverse osmosis water purification system at the Golden Fish Kindergarten.
The filter will provide the following stages:
STAGE 1: 5-micron sediment pre-filtration for mechanical reduction of rust and particulate matter; also provides membrane protection. STAGE 2: Granular activated carbon pre-treatment filter to reduce chlorine taste and odor. STAGE 3: Activated carbon block for reduction of tastes, odors, chloramines, & organic impurities. STAGE 4: Thin-film composite Reverse Osmosis Membrane for reduction of dissolved solids, including the range of toxic heavy metals, plus removal of parasitic cysts such as Giardia & Cryptosporidium. STAGE 5: Activated in-line Carbon post-filtration filter for final polishing of off-tastes & odors.
Water Canal, which is the local water department within the rayon government, will oversee the installation of the filtration system. They will also ensure the maintenance of the system in the future.
The rayon administration will cover the additional costs associated with taps, piping, and installation.
The school’s staff will be trained by Water Canal employees on basic operation and maintenance practices. This will help create a sense of ownership and sustainability.
The new water filter will be placed in a more convenient and secure location where the children can have better access to drinkable water. The steamer currently in use will be used for providing water to clean the children’s clothes and provide hot water for showers and baths, especially in the winter.
Project Impact
130 students and 31 staff members will benefit directly from this project. The families of the children and staff will also benefit as a result of their family members drinking safe and healthy water.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Blakely Neff
Comments
The children will have better access to safe, drinking water. The benefits will be immediate, substantial, and long-term.
Dollar Amount of Project
$340.00
Donations Collected to Date
$340.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has now been fully funded through the generosity of Hack & Slash, who have designated Water Charity as a beneficiary of this year’s Hack and Slash Christmas Special 2011 held in Baltimore, MD.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify the PCV of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund future projects in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.