Hackney helps bring clean water to rural Africa

Published by Hannah Wooderson for 24dash.com in Local Government

Hackney is the first council in London to have a water pump installed in southern rural Africa through buying charity water.

The ‘elephant pump’, based on a virtually unbreakable 2,000-year-old Chinese design, is to be constructed in Mthwalo, in Mopho Jere district, Malawi, giving access to a constant supply of clean water.

The Council has been buying bottled water - recycled after use - from charity Thirsty Planet for the last three years. The charity donates funds from sales to partner charity Pump Aid, which works with communities in southern Africa.

A multipack of 1.5 litre bottles generates a donation of 50p, while a single 500ml bottle gives 5p, and the Council has bought enough to reach the £250 required to install a pump, and is on its way to a second.

Cllr Sophie Linden, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, said: “Hackney Council is committed to sustainability not only in the borough but also in the way the Council is run. This is an example of what can be done when organisations choose to buy goods from responsible sources.”

Hackney became a Fairtrade borough last summer, after a two-year local campaign masterminded by the Hackney Fairtrade Group – a partnership of more than 60 residents, business people, and councillors. All tea, coffee, sugar and fruit juices provided at meetings are supplied by Fairtrade sources.

As a result, many local schools, businesses, religious and community groups have all signed up to the principle of only buying ethically responsible goods.

Paul Martin, managing director of Waterbrands, which owns Thirsty Planet, commented: “The support that Hackney Council is giving to Pump Aid is tremendous.

“Simply by choosing Thirsty Planet it is helping improve day-to-day living and even save the lives of some of the poorest people in the world.”