Background

Clean water is critical to the health and economic well-being of a society.  Developing countries without safe drinking water and effective sanitation systems have to battle diseases that keep the population from working productively and also drain the country’s resources. The country needs to spend valuable funds on, or seek humanitarian aid for, medical and social services.  Good-quality water systems, along with hygiene education, can play an important role in the economic growth of a developing country. 

How can a CEI program help?

A CEI economic development mission can expose key local and regional government and industry leaders to best practices in water and sanitation infrastructure.  Visits to water providers, sewage treatment facilities, health care specialists and others will give them information on improvements they can implement in their country, for the health of the population and the growth of the country.  Water and sanitation infrastructures that prevent disease can not only ease suffering but also allow a developing country to use its human and financial resources more productively.  

Topics to be covered

The following is a brief list of topics that will be covered.

  • Industry overview

  • Measuring and improving current water quality

  • Identifying potential sources of contamination and eliminating or treating them

  • Industry standards and associations

  • Education programs, accreditation

Expected Benefits

Participants will learn about the water-quality and sanitation standards required to improve their country’s public health and thus its economic growth, and to see methods used to achieve those standards.  They will learn techniques they can implement at home in order to reach these standards.  They will also learn how to develop an overall area water plan. 

Main types of water treatment

The following water treatment methods will be covered.

  • Central treatment plants usually located on  water source

  • Desalination plants

  • Small portable systems

  • Pills and other personal treatment systems

What will the mission see?

The mission will visit water suppliers and health care providers in the eastern part of the U.S.  Visits will include:

  • Water providers

  • State and local water regulatory authorities

  • Water treatment and storage facilities

  • Sewage treatment facilities

  • Public health care agencies

  • Water system equipment and service suppliers

  • Water associations

  • Government agencies associated with the industry

  • Construction companies

  • Laundry facilities

  • Well-drilling companies

  • Educational institutions

Actual sites visited will be tailored to the specific needs of the developing country.   

Benefits of a CEI economic development mission

Participants see many “best practices” and can select for implementation the ones most applicable to their organizations or areas of responsibility, according to opportunities and resources available in their country.  As leaders, their work within their country, within their field, improves their country’s overall ability to advance.

 

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