toggle
Celebrating Safer Drinking Water
People around the globe recently celebrated World Water Day and we would like to share with you two important updates related to this event. First, safe drinking water is something most people take for granted. To better educate policymakers, members of the media, and the public, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Chlorine Chemistry Division released a video detailing the role that chemistry plays in the delivery of safe drinking water.
Specifically, the video invites viewers to learn how innovations in chemistry enable us to treat our water so that it is safe and clean, ensures water is delivered into our homes, schools and businesses and helps us conserve water for future generations. You can watch the video below.
Capitol Hill Event with Local Students
Also, as part of the celebration of World Water Day, ACC welcomed 38 upper elementary students from the Capitol Hill Montessori School. Jeffrey Sejour of International Action, which is working to chlorinate drinking water in Haiti, spoke with them about the importance of safe drinking water and shared stories about communities that need access to safe drinking water. Jeffrey also helped the students calculate how much water they use themselves just by washing their hands every day. ACC’s Chlorine Chemistry Division and Capitol Hill Montessori donated a $5,000 check to International Action on behalf of the students at Capitol Hill Montessori School.
At this year’s World Chlorine Council General Assembly in Delhi, India, Chairman of the Governing Council Anibal do Vale highlighted that WCC promotes the use of the ‘residual chlorine content’ as an easily measurable, science-based indicator for assessing the safety of drinking water.
Anibal do Vale
The WCC Chairman concluded that “the chlor-alkali chemistry is making an essential contribution to a sustainable world”.
Mr. do Vale also underlined that the organization represents more than 85 % of globally installed chlor-alkali capacity. He noted that one of the core businesses of the organization is the development of science-based global communication and advocacy.
A major topic for some regions remains the phasing out of the use of mercury as a catalyst in chlor-alkali production. Today, some 4.9 million tonnes of mercury are present in chlor-alkali units but all use of mercury by our industry must be phased out by the period 2020-2025. A process fully supported by the WCC.
The WCC General meeting took place in Delhi, India, on October 15th.
Contact: Dirk Clotman, Communications Euro Chlor, tel. +32 2 676 73 51, dcn@cefic.be