Cincinnati State’s relief effort for Haiti focuses on drinking water

January 15, 2010

Students and faculty at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College are joining the relief effort for victims of the earthquake in Haiti – with a particular focus on clean drinking water.

For years, students and faculty members have been involved in a program that demonstrates how packets of Procter & Gamble’s PUR powder can be used to make contaminated water clean enough to drink. In addition to hosting demonstrations on campus for Cincinnati State students and visiting high school groups, representatives of student organizations have gone to high schools throughout Greater Cincinnati to talk about the importance of water quality and the cost-effectiveness of the PUR process.

In response to the Haitian disaster, student groups have launched a fund drive across campus. Their pitch: Every $1 donated will buy enough packets of PUR to clean 25 gallons of water, which would meet the needs of an adult for 20 days (or a child for 50 days.)

Organizers said they realize their efforts pale in comparison with the generous corporate contributions that have already been made. But according to Martha Brosz, a faculty member who has long been active in campus and regional water quality initiatives, Cincinnati State faculty and student leaders saw value in making such a targeted appeal.

“At a time like this, we all have a natural impulse to try to help,’’ Brosz said. “And it’s clear that one of the most immediate needs in Haiti now is clean drinking water. This is the most efficient way we can think of to try to help in a constructive way, since the PUR packets are much more logical than trying to ship bottled water.’’

A demonstration of how the PUR water purification system works is scheduled for noon Tuesday in the cafeteria at the Advanced Technology & Learning Center.