Nerox Institution Kits to Cholera-affected Rural Areas in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.

 

Contaminated water to be filtered in Nerox 02

 

Late February funds were released from the Norwegian Foreign Office to Norwegian People’s Aid (Folkehjelpen) in support of the ongoing fight against cholera in South Africa utilising equipment from Plastec, including our new 50 liter Nerox Institution Kit. 

 

Medio March all goods were delivered to the small town of Eshowe, 150 kms north of Durban: The delivery was a logistical challenge, since the components, from abroad and sourced in South Africa, originated from about 7 places. However, due to our established network and the flexibility shown by all concerned, this was all achieved on schedule.

 

It was the first significant order of the new application called “Institution Nerox Filter Units”, of which 210 units were supplied. Such a Unit consists of a 50 liter drum, and a 20 liter insert in which a triple filter element is placed. This filter application for a more permanent setting has been developed lately during the extensive presence of Plastec personnel in South Africa. Replacement filters for a full year’s consumption have been supplied.

 

Early in March, twenty volunteers of the CBO Network, meaning Community-Based Organisation Network (the local partner of Norwegian People’s Aid that is implementing the project) were trained by Plastec consultants in the use and maintenance of the Nerox filter unit. The product was received enthusiastically, also because the people do not like to chlorinate their drinking water. During the 3rd week of March another Plastec consultant assisted in installing 3 diesel-driven big water purification units, socalled LMS-units (producing 2 m3 drinking water per hour) and trained the water committees to operate them. After the first unit was installed and made operational an opening ceremony was held, attended by the Minister of health of KwaZuluNatal and later transmitted on TV.  Further visits by Plastec consultants for both project components are scheduled late April. 

Bacteria free, safe water after a few minutes.

 

Though initiated and funded as an emergency project, the CBO Network has admiringly used the support to launch a much broader development initiative. They titled the project: “Treat water preciously – it is the key to development”. They are fully aware that safe drinking water as such is not the whole solution (sanitation and sustainability being equally important), but that at the same time water really is the basis for all development. 

 

CBO Network is further very interestingly looking into business possibilities related to sales of water and of filters, realizing that revolving funds are needed for the provision of safe water beyond the duration of this project. Not at least a strong interest was shown for the smaller 20 ltr, single-filter, family unit. It is such a realistic and long-term approach of CBO Network that for Plastec carries the hope of a future mutually beneficial relationship. 

 

A further boost to this exciting development was given when Plastec in mid-March was informed that the official KwaZuluNatal Cholera-Committee had positively concluded its own tests of the Nerox Filter Technology and recommended its use and further purchase to the Minister of Health. 10.05.01