Groundwater Foundation Begins Year Long Effort to Drill Wells for Families in Need
(WESTERVILLE, OH — February 6, 2020) —Groundwater Foundation to Drill Wells for Families in Need. The Groundwater Foundation begins year-long effort to drill water wells for low-income families across the U.S. The program offers long-term, low interest loans to those who lack access to clean, safe, and affordable water.
Drilling began on a new water well system for the Saleh family
On Tuesday, February 4, drilling began on a new water well system for the Saleh family in Crete, Illinois.
The Groundwater Foundation donated $100,000 to the Water Well Trust last year, to fund a program which pays for the initial cost of drilling a well. Participating families are given a 20-year 1% interest loan.
The Saleh family’s water stopped flowing on July 4, 2019, due to a broken casing which caused their well system to fill with sand. Unable to afford the up-front cost of a new water well, Saleh was forced into costly short-term solutions to provide her family with water.
“We ended up buying gallons and gallons of water jugs and eventually purchased four large totes and a shallow well pump. All connected with gardening hoses and PVC pipe,” said Marvet Saleh. “But this is Chicago, and it’s getting cold which creates a lot of problems for our system.”
Water Well Trust Grant Program
After learning about the Water Well Trust grant program from her local fire department, Saleh began the process of applying for funding assistance to purchase a new water well.
“I’m so thankful for the partnership between the Groundwater Foundation and Water Well Trust. There is nowhere else I could get a loan for a new well, especially not one I can afford.” said Saleh.
The Groundwater Foundation, working with the Water Well Trust, assisted Saleh throughout the entirety of the project. From soliciting bids from well drillers to the final installation of the system.
“Water is a basic human need and often taken for granted. Living without clean, safe water impacts every part of your day-to-day life,” said National Ground Water Association CEO and Groundwater Foundation Board Member, Terry S. Morse. “I’m thrilled we were able to help; no family should be without clean, safe, and affordable water,
Currently, there are 1.5 million Americans lacking complete plumbing and access to clean, safe, affordable drinking water.
For more information on how to support the Groundwater Foundation. And to support its mission to provide safe, clean, drinking water to those in need, please visit groundwater.org.
About the Groundwater Foundation and Water Well Trust
NGWA announced its merger with the non-profit Groundwater Foundation in May 2018
NGWA and the Water Systems Council signed a five-year memorandum of understanding in 2018, that set a foundation for future collaborations.
The Water Well Trust is the nonprofit organization overseen by the Water Systems Council. Increasing access to clean water is one the first projects being worked on collectively.
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