** SPECIAL REPORT **
An Interview with Erica Gwynn  
Recently, past WASRAG Board member, Carolyn Crowley Meub, had the opportunity to interview Erica Gwynn. 

Erica is the Area of Focus Manager, Water & Sanitation, for Rotary International. 

The interview provides an insight on what makes successful WASH projects, the unique impact of Rotarians and a perspective on Global Grants.

To read the full interview go to the WASRAG Blog 
March 22, 2017 - Paint the Town Blue 
The Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST)  will celebrate World Water Day,March 22, in a unique way.

In addition to holding an event at their Calgary office, they are encouraging people to update their Facebook profile with a Paint it Blue frame. What a unique way to bring attention to this cause!

To learn more about CAWST's "Paint the Town Blue" campaign and generate similar ideas for your local area, visit "Paint the Town". To update your Facebook Profile with a Paint the Town Blue frame visit   "Paint it Blue". Also, remember to tag your videos, photos and posts with the hashtags #PaintItBlue and #WorldWaterDay

You can also visit http://www.worldwaterday.org/  to access the resources prepared by the UN to increase the awareness of the need for clean water and  to manage wastewater more effectively. 
A Dam Good Project  
Sand dams are a little known technology, but Rotary Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland are using this simple solution to have a significant impact on communities in dryland areas with seasonal rainfall. 

James Onions, Kew Gardens Rotary, led the first project to build a sand dam in Kenya. Now Rotary Clubs across the UK are working with the non-profit Excellent Development to bring clean water to over 70,000 people. 
  
Visit a Sand Dam in Kenya to read how the Rochdale Club, District 1280, had a significant impact on a community in Kenya.

Global Grant Supports Filter Project  
For many years, Rotary clubs have been involved in eastern Dominican Republic with WASH projects involving biosand filters. 
 
This year, District 7810 and clubs within New Brunswick, Canada and Maine, USA have received a Global Grant to install a new, WHO approved filter, developed by the Kohler Company.
 
This initial Rotary coordinated project involves the installation of 1560 Kohler Clarity filters, support a local Water Filter team and build a water testing laboratory. 

To learn more about this new technology and this project read the WASRAG blog  Water Filters in the Dominican Republic.
Cholera puts emphasis on Clean Water  
Two hundred years ago, the first cholera outbreak emerged from the swamps of Bangladesh.
 
Since then, cholera pandemics have killed tens of millions of people all over the planet. This disease has been a major reason for the development of water and sanitation systems in major cities like London and New York. 
 
The New York Times has recently published the article "Turning the Tide Against Cholera", about the progress being made to combat this deadly disease. 
Massive WASH Project in Uganda  
The Rotary Clubs of Oakville-Trafalgar, Canada and Kampala Uganda, using a Global Grant and funding from 28 Clubs in three countries raised almost $500,000 to provide a multi-faceted project for the 6,600 citizens of two communities in Uganda.

This massive project brought: 1) improved access to safe and adequate water and sanitation facilities; 2) created awareness of sustainable hygiene practices and sanitation behavior; 3) built local committees to manage the water and sanitation facilities and  4) created income generating opportunities for approximately 400 women. 

Safe Water for Honduran Villagers 
Using a Global Grant, Rotary Clubs in District 7710, coordinated by the Cary-Page club, worked cooperatively with the Rotary Club of Danli, Honduras to provide clean water and sanitation to the citizens of Neuva Palestina.

The project built 59 latrines and installed 305 biosand water filters. To learn more visit the WASRAG blog.
 
 
Calendar Of Event  

March 22, 2017 - WORLD WATER DAY

April 27 - 28, 2017 - Clarkston, MI, USA
Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage Workshop

April 29 - 30, 2017 - Clarkston, MI, USA
Drinking Water Quality Testing Workshop
June 9, 2017 - 
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
World Water Summit 9  

June 10, 2017 - Atlanta Georgia, USA
WASRAG Annual Meeting 

July 24 - 28, 2017 - Loughborough, UK
40th Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) International Conference

November 19, 2017 - WORLD TOILET DAY
Service Spotlight
We love hearing about your projects and are delighted to relay these great opportunities for Rotarians to get involved in WASH projects! 
 
When posting your projects on the wasrag.org website, please remember to include the name of your Rotary club and District number. 
 
Contact us at  info@wasrag.org if you need help with your posting.

WASRAG needs Your Membership
Membership revenue helps cover our administrative costs, website, development of support materials etc.  To become a member, click on the button. To check whether your membership has expired, email Anna Shepherd .

To submit stories and pictures our Newsletter, please email:  info@wasrag.org  to the attention of  WASRAG   newsletter  editors Ian Rumbles and Terri Black.
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Learn what Rotary groups are doing around the planet to provide clean water. 

The Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG) is pleased to consider partnerships with any corporate supporter. Due to the unique attributes of water sources and water provision, acceptance of corporate support does not imply an endorsement of any particular water technology. Rotarians, Rotary clubs, and Rotary partners must evaluate any technology to determine if it is the best solution for the conditions where the program will be implemented. WASRAG can provide guidance about where different technologies work best, but Rotarians and Rotary clubs must make the final decision about how to implement their programs.
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