Clean water campaign starts in schools

Sep 21, 2010

A campaign to fight water-borne diseases in schools has been launched at Gayaza High School.The campaign, which enables access to safe and clean water, is aimed at empowering students with the knowledge of the dangers of drinking unsafe water, Marie Nakato, the brand manager of Aquasafe, explained.

By Francis Emorut
A campaign to fight water-borne diseases in schools has been launched at Gayaza High School.The campaign, which enables access to safe and clean water, is aimed at empowering students with the knowledge of the dangers of drinking unsafe water, Marie Nakato, the brand manager of Aquasafe, explained.

Gayaza High School received four water tanks with Aquasafe purification tablets from the Uganda Health Marketing Group on Saturday.

Many students are affected by water born diseases, according to research.

“The water tanks are going to reduce cases of water borne diseases. Last term, many students suffered as a result of drinking unsafe water,” said Martha Namugenyi, an S2 student.

Sarah Mugaya, a teacher, explained that although the school provides boiled water, students drink directly from the tap.

Esther Namutosi, another S2 student, said many students buy mineral water, but added that with the water purification tanks, students can access clean water without spending money. “We will to have more space in the dormitories because water boxes have been taking up a lot of it.”

A 120-liter water tank needs six tablets of Aquasafe purification tablets. Water is safe to drink within 30 minutes.

According to a health survey, 44% of households do not have access to safe and clean water, and 2.2 million people die every year from water-borne diseases.

Access to clean and safe water across the country is at 60%, according to the Uganda Water National Development Report 2008.

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