Photos

This is the water tower that provides water for a large community in the northern part of Santo Domingo, a city of several million inhabitants. Although unlikely, the water may be chlorinated at this point, but by the time it reaches the people it has certainly become very contaminated through the inadequate transmission infrastructure. Most of the larger communities here are in a similar situation.

Our earth is over 70% water, but of that 70% only 3% would be considered 'fresh" water or water that is available for drinking. The key word is "available". Although the water is available it may not be suitable for drinking. The suitability of the available water for consumption is affected by natural geological contamination, chemical contamination and human/animal waste contamination. This reduces the available 'potable" drinking water worldwide to less that 1% of the total water available.

According to the World Health Organization and the World Bank 80% of all diseases in the Third World or developing countries are transmitted through polluted or contaminated water.

1.2 billion people cannot drink their water without risking disease or death.

50% of worldwide infant mortality or four million children every year die due to contaminated water or water borne disease. 'One child every eight seconds." In the Dominican Republic there are 32.38 infants born dead for every 1,000 live births. That's one out of thirty.