 The project will be implemented by the Rotary Club of Quito Norte and International Rotary partners. Quito Norte’s main activities in the past have been in support of the hospital in Pedro Vicente Maldonado where club members observed that many of the cases were from rural areas and mainly caused by contaminated drinking water.
The project would install purification facilities in ten area schools that serve 1,174 school children residing in areas with a population of 4,250.
Pedro Vicente Maldonado, San Miguel de los Bancos and the other small towns have a population of 20,000 with 8,000 in the municipality (40%) and 12,000 inhabitants in rural areas (60%). Only 12% of population has potable water. The general health of the population as a result is poor.
The rural population relies on water from rivers and springs. To make things worse very few people treat or boil their drinking water; thus most suffer from gastro-intestinal diseases.
Only 40% of urban houses have sewage systems. The sewage system dumps untreated water directly into the rivers and gorges that are often the sources of water for rural villages.
Components of the small potable water systems are the following:
Sand filter and gravel filter
Activated Charcoal Filters
Resin Filter
Chlorine Dispenser
Each filter will be have mechanical valve for automatic treatment
With well water a 2HP pump may be required
Purification/filtration will require the following equipment:
One HP pumping equipment
Hydro-pneumatic tank of 80 gallons
Controller of level
Pressure relief valve
Pressure gauge
Miscellanous pipe, unions, nipples, etc.
The installation of potable water in rural schools will not only improve the health of the children but will improve the general well-being of their communities. | 
