BRINGING CLEAN WATER TO PUERTO RICO COMMUNITIES

SUMMARY

After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, it left nearly half of the population without potable water, millions without power and thousands without homes. It destroyed much of the natural environment, hospitals and public infrastructure. Restoration efforts were estimated to take several months, and during that time, many will live in high temperatures and humidity without access to air conditioning and clean water. These conditions will cause continued health issues for Puerto Ricans.

The teams determined whether water systems were working, in need of replacement or restoring. They worked side-by-side with the Department of Health and Environmental Protection Agency to bring purified water to these communities.

​

Sextant and Mazzetti volunteers partnered with Project HOPE to assess Puerto Rico’s water purification systems around the devastated island. The teams determined whether water systems were working, in need of replacement or restoring. They worked side-by-side with the Department of Health and Environmental Protection Agency to bring purified water to these communities.

​

In the words of one volunteer, Samantha Sharp, “The water assessments are critical because they provide a link between the government command center in San Juan and these rural communities. I was amazed at how quickly efforts were mobilized once the field data was provided and we made our recommendations. A new package water filtration system is already operational at one of the sites where we completed an assessment.”