Convoy of Hope and Culligan Team Up to Bring Drinkable Water to Haiti

News provided by

Jan 27, 2010, 05:49 ET

Three industrial-sized water purification systems being shipped to the earthquake zone

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. and VERNON HILLS, Ill., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Convoy of Hope, the international relief organization, and Culligan, the industry leader in water treatment, will join forces again to deliver much needed drinking water to the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.

Culligan is donating three Culligan model UF-P2 water purification systems, each capable of processing approximately 15,000 gallons of water a day for drinking and cooking. The systems come with their own gasoline-powered generators so they can operate even if electrical power may not be available. Accompanying each unit is a water storage tank that holds and dispenses 250 gallons of water. Culligan and Convoy of Hope have a long-standing partnership that helps provide aid in the wake of natural disasters.

"These water purification systems will help save lives," said Hal Donaldson, founder and president, Convoy of Hope. "There is an immediate need for clean water. These systems will help provide safe water for thousands affected by the earthquake. We're extremely thankful to Culligan for their generosity in providing these remarkable systems."

Culligan and Convoy of Hope have already sent 250,000 bottles of drinking water to Haiti, which were on the ground within days of the earthquake. Water has become even more important in the aftermath of the earthquake, since most Haitians are remaining outdoors in the heat and sun for fear of more structures collapsing from aftershocks. Sending bottled water was the quickest way to respond. Now, these water purification systems will address the longer-term needs of the country and its rebuilding efforts.

"We're honored to partner with Convoy of Hope," said Lance FitzGerald, director of product management, Culligan. "Our water purification systems were designed for the most remote locations and require very little training to operate. They're ideal for the challenging environment of the Haitian earthquake zone."

The units will be shipped from Culligan International's commercial assembly operations in Vernon Hills, IL to Convoy of Hope's staging center in Springfield, MO, where they'll be prepared to be airlifted to Port-au-Prince and quickly pressed into service to produce drinking water for the residents.

The water purification systems are expected to arrive in Haiti in early February.

About Convoy of Hope

Founded in 1994, Convoy of Hope exists to feed millions of people in need in the United States and around the world through children's nutrition initiatives, citywide outreaches and disaster response. To learn more, or to donate, go to www.convoyofhope.org.

About Culligan International

Culligan has been recognized as the world leading innovator and provider of water treatment systems for more than 70 years. Headquartered in the Chicago area, Culligan maintains offices in 12 countries, dealers and licensees in over 90 countries, and a network of 800+ franchise and company-owned dealers across North America. Culligan offers the most extensive water treatment product line in the world, and its solutions have been backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal, highlighted as a Consumers Digest "Best Buy" and featured on the "Designing Spaces" national television show. Culligan is also a founding member of the Water Quality Association and contributing donor to the Water Quality Research Foundation, the research arm of the water quality improvement industry.

Contacts:
Jeff Nene
Senior Director of Communications and Technology for Convoy of Hope
417-860-2196
[email protected]

Allison Mason
Edelman for Culligan International
312-233-1264
[email protected]