| Water
to Drink |
The
Near Future
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There
are over a billion people in the world today
who cannot find water suitable to drink. Over
one and a half million people die each year
from disease caused by dirty water. The most
afflicted of these are children, whose immune
systems are vulnerable.
Unlike
the crises we associate with agriculture, the
problem is not in the quantity of water available.
It is due to contamination by human waste-from
mines, factories and sewers.
Where this problem exists, there is little hope
that government will solve it. Government cannot
respond because it is weakened by a lack of tax
revenues and corruption.
One way to try and solve the problem is to wait
for the generosity of others. Charity is a good
thing, but we must ask from time to time if the
poor can afford clean water. Waiting isn't necessary.
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Drinking
Water as a Problem of Human Organization
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Pure-O-Tech
is working to prove that the poor can afford
clean water. Part of this is a matter of price--as
Pure O Tech makes the best water at the lowest
price of any other company in the world.
The cost of making clean water is under a penny
a gallon, inclusive of all cost. The bigger
problem consists in creating and managing the
organizations which might sell the water.
Our work began with the development of community
based water treatment systems in India. These
systems have supported the water needs of whole
communities, including times of crisis.
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Pure-O-Tech
has since developed a business model which envisions
cooperative associations and social entrepreneurs
filling the needs of their community members,
paying all their operating and administrative
expenses, while paying for the machines in less
than 5 years.
The drinking water problem is now not a problem
of cost, but a problem of human organization.
It is time for us to develop an "industry"
which addresses this great need.
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A
Water System Which Includes Human Organization
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Pure-O-Tech
is in the process of designing regional water
franchises which manage up to 50 water production
systems, and to support those franchises organizationally
and technically.
These
franchises need to be large and durable enough
to insure their continuity, and small enough to
blend effectively with unique local economies.
The organizations must be strong to insure the
operation and repair of the systems, and have
sufficient accountability and transparency to
resist corruption.
Water is the most powerful organizing principle
in human experience. We suspect that strong organization
will produce opportunities for social and economic
good-quite beyond the satisfaction of thirst.
Pure-O-Tech is working with very strong national
leaders, along with highly regarded experts in
the management sciences.
If you would like to help us move this forward,
we would like to hear from you.
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