Bringing Drinking Water to the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian
“It was still raining when our partners and gear arrived in the Bahamas. Water and power infrastructure were destroyed. Fresh water sources were contaminated with seawater and contaminated runoff. Salt contaminated wells and open seawater were the only viable water sources.” - John Wright, Katadyn Relief Solutions.
As the destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian was still becoming evident, World Hope International was heading to the storm-ravaged area of March Harbor and Green Turtle Cay with desperately needed relief supplies, including 6 Spectra Aquifer 360 “Flight Ready” units. World Hope International is a Christian organization working with vulnerable and exploited communities to alleviate poverty, suffering, and injustice.
The Aquifers were quickly deployed by World Hope’s experienced water team along with Katadyn Relief Solutions Sales Manager, John Wright. These were the first water responders to arrive, due to the highly portable Aquifer systems. Over 1,000 gallons of fresh water were produced and distributed to the local population before larger systems arrived. Flight readiness and integrated solar power allowed the team to make water three days before generator-powered water systems were online. The “Flight Ready” Aquifer 360 has several distinct advantages in emergency situations. The unit is divided into three weight-managed cases that can be checked as standard luggage on commercial flight. It is also adaptable to virtually any power source – 12- or 24-Volt vehicle batteries, house current or the included solar panels can power the unit, allowing it to be independent from scarce power resources during an emergency. The Aquifer’s simplicity is also a key advantage. Volunteers and operators with limited experience or language barriers can easily operate the unit using the visual quickstart guide included in the pump case of each unit.
The portability of the Aquifer units offers both logistical and environmental benefits. The light aircraft that transported John Wright and the World Hope team would be unable to deploy the bulky pallets of bottled water that are delivered in many disaster relief situations. As seen in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria, the logistical challenges of transporting bottled water can often limit its deployment. The Aquifer can provide three hundred and sixty gallons of fresh water without leaving a trace.
One of the main problems encountered in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian was the contamination of previously safe fresh water sources by seawater. Storm surge had rendered most wells brackish and lack of power meant water pumps were not operating. This situation is often outside of the scope of a normal NGO organization that is used to delivering non-reusable plastic bottled water. Several organizations also arrived in the Bahamas with freshwater, backpacking style filters and straws that are of no use when dealing with brackish or salty water.
The Spectra Aquifer solves this problem by using proven reverse osmosis technology that has been used for decades at sea to provide fresh water to sailors with limited power onboard.
Although World Hope’s teams used Aquifers to be the first to provide fresh water relief to residents of Abaco Island and other affected areas, they continued to consistently produce fresh water to support communities that still struggle with the most basic human needs. Two more Katadyn employees, Brian Bowser and Martin Loef, arrived a week after the hurricane to show support for World Hope and their Aquifer units. Brian and Martin were familiar with Katadyn’s other offerings such as freshwater filters and small hand-operated desalination units, but the Aquifer was a new product for them. With less than an hour of instruction, they were able to successfully operate the Aquifer units and continue to provide fresh water for residents in need.
“We just tossed the feed pumps into the ocean and opened up the solar panels. We were making good water right away. The people here have been through so much, and they’ve got a long way to go. But once you have fresh water, you can start to move on to the next problem. Without water, you’ve got nothing.” Martin Loef, Katadyn North America.
As of September 25, World Hope International had delivered over 56,000 liters of fresh water in the Bahamas, more than any other relief agency. The Aquifer allowed them to deliver water first, with total power independence and no single-use plastic waste. While World Hope continues to provide relief in the Bahamas and around the globe, the Spectra Flight Ready Aquifer 360 will be a crucial tool for rapidly delivering fresh water to those in desperate need.
