Leading manufacturer Grundfos Pumps recently had cause to celebrate after it scooped a prestigious award for its efforts to tackle some of the challenges caused by global climate change.
United Nations Climate Change
The industry accolade was gained at a recent United Nations Climate Change event, where Grundfos won one of the six awards in the ICT category of the Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activity Award for its Lifelink water supply system.
The Lifelink water supply system was created to provide developing countries with a clean and constant supply of water. Countries in the Western world often take fresh tap water for granted, but many poorer countries do not get the vital quality standards and levels of water that they need to live a healthy and sustainable life.
Grundfos Pumps take home ICT Award
Grundfos got the ICT award in recognition of its efforts to integrate technology to establish a clean, continuous and sustainable water supply in remote villages and communities in African countries such as Kenya and Uganda. Its automated pump system gives communities the chance to access water supplies for a small fee. Payments are made using mobile phones, which also helps to cover servicing and repair work.
The leading pump manufacturer believes the water system is sustainable because it provides an affordable and long-term solution for those communities that need access to water supplies. In many cases, communities will have paid for the systems within five years but can continue to pay a small fee to cover the cost of service charges. If there is ever a problem with the system, which can be accessed over the internet, a local Lifelink service department can quickly get it up and running again.
Improving the quality of life for people
There were 16 winners at the prestigious United Nations awards ceremony, with more than 450 initiatives battling it out to gain recognition for their merits. Grundfos believes that winning this award clearly shows how important it is to design creative and durable solutions that improve the quality of life for people in poorer countries. These can also help to tackle the many challenges that exist from global climate change.
It is not just in Africa where these sustainable water supply solutions have been implemented. The pump firm has recently established water supply products in India. The AQtap solution supplies water by payment under the control of a water utility, whilst AQpure effectively treats river and surface water to bring it to drinking quality standards.
