• "Off-the-grid" water machine provides miraculous assistance in hard hit Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Feb. 8, 2010 -- The Aqua Sciences Emergency Water Station has provided thousands of gallons of clean, potable water for relief efforts 24 hours a day since arriving in Port-au-Prince Thursday, January 28. Water from the Aqua Sciences machine, based at University Hospital in coordination with International Medicine Corp, continues to be distributed to doctors, nurses and critical care patients at drop-off points around the city. This is the very first time the machine has been used for relief efforts.
"Aqua Sciences clean water is delivered to each patient at University Hospital and to the doctors, surgeons and nurses caring for these patients," said head relief worker embedded with the station, Scott Morris. "Our supply of water is absolutely critical to this mission of supporting the hospital and International Medicine Corp."
Water from the Emergency Water Station is distributed in individual puncture-proof bags both to patients directly and to doctors and nurses situated around the hospital compound. The Emergency Water Station has also been able to provide highly concentrated chlorinated water to the surgeons within the compound.
"Aqua Sciences is proud to be a part of this relief effort and making a difference in Haiti," said Aqua Sciences CEO Abe M. Sher. "The Emergency Water Station has been able to provide relief and assistance in the form of life-saving water to thousands who need it most, which is what the system was designed for."
The Aqua Sciences Emergency Water Station was deployed to Haiti on January 28 to help with earthquake relief efforts. This joint effort was coordinated with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Defense/U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the U.S. Department of State/USAID and Aqua Sciences.
Poarch Band of Creek Indians Chairman, Buford L. Rolin said that Tribal authorities worked feverishly with the U.S. government and relief agency authorities to arrange for shipping the equipment from the Reservation. He remarked, "I think everyone who has seen the pictures from Haiti wants to help any way that they can. If we can assist by bringing clean water to that traumatized country, we can help save lives and ensure against outbreak of diseases like cholera."
Aqua Sciences systems collect and extract water from the air using salts, and distribute high quality drinking water as needed. Specially designed for transport by air, sea or land in an International Standards Organization (ISO) marine container package, the Aqua Sciences system is powered by self-contained electrical generators and is easily moved, making it an ideal first response solution for disaster areas with damaged or no infrastructure.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) purchased the 40-foot long Aqua Sciences systems in 2006. The system was obtained thru the TransAm Program which is managed by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Services (IHS). The Emergency Water Station was deployed to Homestead Air Force Base in Florida, where SOUTHCOM oversaw transport to Haiti. Stationed at the University Hospital compound in Port-au-Prince, workers embedded with the machine have delivered Aqua Sciences clean water to patients at medical tents, and to doctors, nurses and relief workers stationed at drop-off points around the compound.
About Aqua Sciences
Aqua Sciences Inc. is a Florida-based advanced water technology company specializing in atmospheric water generation products. More information can be found at www.aquasciences.com
About the Poarch Band of Creek Indians
The Poarch Creek Indians are descendents of a segment of the original Creek Nation, which once covered almost all of Alabama and Georgia. Unlike many eastern Indian tribes, the Poarch Creeks were not removed from their tribal lands and have lived together for almost 200 years in and around the reservation in Poarch, Alabama. The reservation is located eight miles northwest of Atmore, Alabama, in rural Escambia County, and 57 miles east of Mobile. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only federally recognized Indian Tribe in the state of Alabama, operating as a sovereign nation with its own system of government and bylaws. The Tribe operates a variety of economic enterprises, which employ hundreds of area residents. Poarch Creek Indian Gaming manages three gaming facilities in Alabama, including: Wind Creek Casino & Hotel in Atmore; Riverside Casino in Wetumpka; and, Tallapoosa Casino in Montgomery. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is an active partner in the state of Alabama, contributing to economic, educational, social and cultural projects benefiting both tribal members and residents of these local communities and neighboring towns. Web: www.poarchcreekindians-nsn.gov
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