This project will broaden disease prevention efforts, during and after the current COVID-19 Pandemic, by providing a filtered hygienic, fast and environmentally friendly way to fill empty water bottles. Referred to as "Touchless Water Bottle Filling Stations," these units have a hands-free and rapid filling technology which makes filling a water bottle three times faster and safer than a drinking fountain.
This eliminates children (and us adults) from touching the handles on conventional drinking fountains or worst yet, making contact with the metal parts disbursing the water with mouth or other body parts. These "filling stations" will be distributed throughout schools, community centers, library and other public gathering places along with a supply of filters.
In many cases, the units can be retrofitted over the top of existing drinking fountains.
Because of demand and shipping issues, this project will take most of the coming year with the help of all club members to coordinate with key personnel at the various facilities which are all very excited about the opportunity to have them in their facilities. And, they have offered up their maintenance personnel for installation. Rotary Club Members will help with distribution and installation when necessary.
A key benefit of filtered water bottle filling stations is their ability to provide SAFE drinking water. The filters remove as much as 99.3% of lead from drinking water. Taste is also a significant factor by removing chlorine and particulate, making it taste crisp and clean. Access to clean water can lead to reduced obesity and greater energy when avoiding those tempting vending machines. Eighty percent of plastic bottles end up in the dump while touchless, filtered water systems encourage the use of metal containers. The University of Maryland estimates having saved 2,933,087 plastic water bottles from disposal.
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