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Source of Hope / Pure Water
Source of Hope / Pure Water is a partnership effort to provide both access to pure water and a micro-enterprise. The partners are led by Be His Witness ministry, along with many others, and the local church/community at Batey#3 in the sugar cane fields in SouthWestern, Dominican Republic.
Be His Witness has been working to restore water systems in the Batey's near Barahona DR since 2004 and have replace many pumps, control systems, pipes and tanks. During this time we became aware of how severe the water pollution is and how little RCW (reasonably clean water) is available.
In the fall of 2008 we worked on implementing a process by which water samples could be obtained using proper techniques and testing the water for both fecal bacteria and other bacteria commonly found in open water. The adaptation of laboratory quality procedures, which can be implemented in the field and provide accurate results in 24 hours, gave us a new understand of which water system were "RCW" and which were highly contaminated (irrigation ditch water). We were permitted to share this procedure with many working in the Dominican Republic at the National water conference held in Santo Domingo Jan. of 2009. We had prayed about what could be done to begin the long term solution for contaminated water.
After meeting with ADU (Aguas De Unidad) in Santo Domingo and seeing how they were enabling may churches we thoroughly explored establishing an ADU facility in Batey#3. The decision to place the water purification at Batey#3 was done with prayer and careful study of the population centers, access via road ways, an established church/school, the integrity of the Pastor and several other factors. Because Batey#3 is so far from Santo Domingo we were led to take on this project independently with the help and council of ADU and Jose Perez, owner of Monte Sur, water equipment manufacturer. They provided a great deal of advise and assistance. Many water engineers and construction specialists were consulted and detailed plans for the building, drains, roof loads, and security were considered.
Our first actual phase of the construction began with contracting with a well drilling company from Santo Doming to drill a deep, steel cased, water well. God blessed us the an abundance of "RCW". Even though the water from the well is RCW (Reasonably Clean Water) ,well water is not suitable for drinking without treatment.
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