ST. LOUIS, Feb. 18, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HD Supply Waterworks, an HD Supply business and the nation's leader in the water, wastewater, storm and fire protection industries, has donated two WaterStep portable water purification systems to the National Rural Water Association (NRWA), as part of its sponsorship.
WaterStep is an organization that has provided safe drinking water to developing countries for 20 years. Its water systems are built to provide safe drinking water in an emergency or disaster situation.
"We appreciate the opportunity to assist our public and private utility customers as well as the associations that represent them," said Jerry Webb, CEO of HD Supply Waterworks. "Providing clean water solutions and access is essential, especially during an emergency or post disaster situation where current systems can be overwhelmed. We consider it our duty and privilege to help protect this valuable resource."
The National Rural Water Association selected New York and Arkansas as the state associations to receive the WaterStep portable water purification M-100 unit systems. Geographically dispersed both on the east coast and in the heartland of the United States, these systems will be deployable to other rural water associations that might need them.
The M-100 unit system generates chlorine through electrolysis. This chlorine is enough to disinfect 38,000 liters of water per day, enough for about 10,000 people, all while using a small amount of table salt and either a 12-volt car battery or solar panels. In addition, the units also come with two collapsible 1,000 gallon water tanks and the option to add supplementary or larger tanks. All parts are stored within a small cart that is easily transportable. The units are simple, environment-friendly and effective in the most hazardous conditions.
"We are excited to have been chosen to receive the WaterStep device. We feel that it will be valuable not only for our region, but surrounding states as well. HD Supply Waterworks is truly a partner by providing support through their donation and the training on how to utilize this tool. At the end of the day, they understand the value of water and just what it means to all of us," stated Patricia Scalera, CEO of New York Rural Water Association.
"Rural water responders are on location assisting to make sure that water systems are back in place during a crisis, so it's only logical that they have a WaterStep unit right by their side. This will address the need of having drinking water that can be easily and effectively decontaminated in a moment's notice. We are thankful HD Supply Waterworks donated this tool to us," mentioned Dennis Sternberg, CEO of Arkansas Rural Water Association.
WaterStep will train each state how to operate the units. Arkansas Rural Water Association hosted its training in December and New York will follow in the spring of 2015.
"It is a privilege for us to give back to an organization and a cause that is ingrained in our values as a company. We have always offered support to our utility customers and we realized that this is one more way that we can show support to those on the front lines of the water industry," stated Steve LeClair, President of HD Supply Waterworks.
About HD Supply Waterworks:
HD Supply Waterworks (www.hdswaterworks.com) is the nation's largest distributor of water, sewer, storm, fusible piping, and fire protection infrastructure products that serves the needs of both contractors and municipalities in all aspects of the water, wastewater, clean water, landfill, energy, and fire protection industries. HD Supply Waterworks operates more than 240 branches serving both the United States and the Caribbean. HD Supply Waterworks is an operating division of HD Supply (www.hdsupply.com), a leading industrial distribution company, providing a broad range of products and services to professional customers in the maintenance, repair and operations, infrastructure and power, and specialty construction sectors.
About WaterStep:
WaterStep is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) international organization that works to create solutions to the global water crisis and save lives with safe water. By combining training and simple equipment, WaterStep empowers people to provide safe and sustainable water, health and hygiene solutions to their own communities. Since 2001, WaterStep has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in almost two dozen countries including Haiti, Kenya, India, the Dominican Republic, Pakistan, and Costa Rica. To learn more, call (502) 568-6342 or visit www.waterstep.org.
About National Rural Water Association:
The National Rural Water Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to training, supporting, and promoting the water and wastewater professionals that serve small communities across the United States. The mission of NRWA is to strengthen State Associations.