Water walk to fund purification units

Have you ever had to walk miles for a drink of clean water? Chances are, all you have to do for a glass of water is walk into the next room and turn on a faucet.

But not everyone is so lucky.

Clean Water for the World will host Walk for Water, a 5K at the University of Toledo’s Centennial Mall on Sunday, April 19.

“Walk for Water is a fundraising 5K run that raises money for Clean Water for the World to build, ship, install and maintain water purification units for people around the world,” said Ashley Mathias, event secretary and a third-year nursing major. “Throughout the walk, participants are encouraged to carry jugs of water that we will provide as a way to simulate the distance that women and children often have to travel to get clean water in developing countries.”

According to Mathias, in the past two years, UT has raised enough money to buy units for communities in El Salvador, Jamaica, Haiti, Guatemala and Uganda.

“These 10 units provide 1,080,000 gallons of clean water to about 1,400 people every year,” Mathias said.

According to the Clean Water for the World website, one water purification unit produces up to five gallons of purified water per minute, or 300 gallons per hour, and uses less power than a 40 watt light bulb. These units use ultraviolet light to kill viruses and bacteria in the water and can be run by either electric or solar power.

Those organizing the event hope that participants will get a glimpse of what it would be like to have to walk miles for access to clean water.

“Last August, Toledo had a water crisis, which gave us a small glimpse of the struggle of lack of clean water,” said Lucy Hosenfeld, a Clean Water for the World board member and a fourth-year chemical engineering major. “By participating in WFW, the people of Toledo build solidarity with their brothers and sisters world-wide to provide clean water for all. It is a local way for the people of Toledo to be part of the global community.”

Hosenfeld, who is also a Walk for Water leadership team member, said the struggle to obtain clean water is an issue worldwide with “quite shocking” statistics.

“One in nine people lack access to clean water and every 15 seconds, a child dies from a water-borne illness,” Hosenfeld said.

She also said the amount of water participants carry during the race is significant to the cause.

“In 2014, the participants carried 240 gallons over the 3.2 miles,” Hosenfield said. “The 240 gallons represents on average the daily amount of water used by four people in the United States and 54 people in the developing countries of Africa, according to the World Health Organization.”

Adam Simpson, a fourth-year professional sales and marketing major as well as the project leader for Walk for Water, said UT students play a tremendous role in the annual event.

“Students and community members are helping us with our event and with the water problem worldwide,” he said. “I see that one girl on our donation page has raised over $1,000, which can provide a unit to a village. That one Toledo student just changed the lives of a whole village of 300.”

According to Simpson, over the past two years, approximately $8,000 each year has been raised with about 170 participants at each event.

“This year, we already have over 130 people registered with an expected 70-100 more,” he said. “And we have already raised more money than last year as we are at $9,200. We hope to reach $15,000 this year.”

Hosenfeld said she hopes this event will change students’ perspectives about the worldwide water crisis and motivate them to take action and help save lives.

“We hope that it will [bring] awareness to everyone who hears about the event and participates,” Hosenfield said. “People have to be aware of the crisis before change can be made.”

According to Mathias, there will be an award for both the Greek and non-Greek team that carries the most water per participant during the race as well as for the team that raises the most money overall.

The event is open to the general public. Registration costs $15 or $10 for students and can be done at firstgiving.com/cw4w/walk-for-water-2015.

Sign in starts at 1 p.m. and the race will begin at 2 p.m.

For more information, email [email protected]