Training sustainable clean water initiative

Q: Is EDGE OUTREACH only focused on short-term mission trips?

A: No. Although we do host a variety of short-term mission trips, EDGE’s primary focus is on long-term solutions to water quality issues in the developing world. There are no short-term solutions to the world’s water problem. The primary goal of EDGE is to spread life-saving knowledge to parts of the world that need it most, using every avenue available. We train teams to implement water projects on a trip-by-trip basis, but we place an emphasis on cultivating relationships in the communities where our trainees work. We make lifelong friends through our work with water and firmly believe that, if they are to succeed, projects must be sustainable and communities must take ownership of the water purification technology we train them to use.

Q: Does EDGE respond to disaster situations?

A: Yes. Since 2009, EDGE has approached water disaster relief in two ways: 1) by sending trained EDGE staff and volunteers to areas in need via in-country connections or through our partnership with the U.S. Southern Command, and 2) by training other disaster relief workers (medical relief workers, search and rescue, etc.) in emergency water purification. We respond with rapid water purification solutions in instances where an area’s infrastructure is compromised and safe water is needed quickly. We also provide long-term safe water solutions for large communities as well as for individual households. In short, EDGE is water. Where water problems exist, we will adapt the technology we have available to implement solutions.

Q: How successful are EDGE water projects?

A: Projects implemented by EDGE staff and trainees have an 85% success rate, compared to the 50% success rate of water projects overall (cited by Rajesh Shah of Blue Planet Run Foundation).

Q: How complicated is the technology used by EDGE staff and trainees in the field?

A: EDGE wants to spread water purification and hand pump repair skills to every community in the developing world. In order to accomplish this goal, we use simple technology that anyone can be taught to use quickly and easily. Simpler technology is easier to replicate and teach – two things that we believe are essential to tackling the world’s water problem. The purification system used by staff and trainees in the field can be assembled in ten minutes, runs on a handful of salt and a car battery, and its setup and operation is uncomplicated and intuitive.

Q: How is EDGE improving technology to address water issues in the developing world?

A: EDGE and its partners have pioneered the development of two new solutions to common water problems. The Water Ball is a device that can hold 15-25 gallons of water (depending on the size used), and can be easily rolled to and from water sources by women and children, who often have to walk an average of six miles a day to collect water for daily use. The jerry cans they use normally hold about five gallons of water, and are difficult to carry. The Water Ball can prevent back issues caused by lifting and bearing the weight of awkward containers. The Pump Pressure Plate (P3) is a device that allows water to be hand pumped directly from a well into a filtration and chlorination unit, then into a safe water storage container. The device is already being used in Haiti with positive results.

Q: How is EDGE dealing with all of the broken hand pumps in the developing world?

A: EDGE has pioneered the development of new hand pump repair tools, and is currently raising funds to build hand pump repair training schools in India and Haiti. We also host hand pump repair training courses at our headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky – home to one of four hand pump repair training centers in the world.

Q: How does EDGE sustain itself?

A: Private donations and training payments comprise 94% of our organization’s annual income – $0.86 of every dollar donated goes toward water-related work. To donate, visit http://edgeoutreach.com/donations. For information about training, visit http://edgeoutreach.com/gettrained.

Q: How expensive is it to provide safe water to those in need?

A: It costs $6.00 to provide safe water to a person in the developing world for a year, or $3,000.00 to install a system for a village of 500 people. $24.00 can provide a year’s supply of safe water to a family of four. It does not take much to change someone’s life, and little by little, the EDGE family is making a dent in the horrifying statistics associated with waterborne disease. We have a long way to go. According to the UN, around 894 million people lack access to a safe, adequate water resource. For every 100 people EDGE services, there are thousands more that we cannot afford to serve.

Q: Does EDGE only do water projects?

A: Though EDGE’s primary focus is on water, we accompany all our efforts with health and hygiene training. Providing safe water knowledge and technology on its own will not make an impact unless adequate sanitation and hygiene practices are being used. EDGE teaches trainees to communicate the reasons why water in a community is making people sick, and how to prevent the recontamination of a safe water source. EDGE also provides vision screenings and glasses to individuals on selected trips.

Q: Does EDGE have an impact on the local community?

A: EDGE participates in projects to better the Louisville area on a regular basis. Recently, EDGE partnered with the Louisville Water Company and Waterfront Park Development in an effort to eliminate the use of plastic water bottles at waterfront events. The Louisville Water Company provides pure, cold Louisville tap water to event attendees at no cost and encourages the use of reusable water bottles. To read more about this effort, check out our blog: http://edgeoutreach.com/our-neighborhood/finally-better-way-stay-hydrate...

Q: What would I do as a volunteer for EDGE?

A: EDGE appreciates help in a variety of areas. If you tell us what your skills and interests are, we will try to find a way for you to cultivate them. You’ve got something special to offer – use it to save lives! From writing projects to event setup/tear down, from brainstorming sessions to working in our warehouse, the possibilities are endless. To learn more, visit http://edgeoutreach.com/about-edge/share-edge-story.

Q: Is EDGE OUTREACH a religious or humanitarian organization?

A: EDGE is a 501(c)3 charitable organization whose focus is on empowering ordinary people to provide clean, safe water to communities in the developing world. We receive funding from individuals, foundations, small businesses, corporations, community groups, churches, and schools of various backgrounds, and are proud to be a part of a diverse community.