RCAP Hosts Agua4all Event Celebrating Access to Safe Drinking Water at Allendale County Schools
The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP), Xylem, and the Chris Long Foundation host event in South Carolina
Allendale, S.C. (August 16, 2024) – Allendale students and teachers celebrated the installation of new water bottle filling stations with lead filtration technology at the Allendale Elementary School on Thursday. These new water bottle filling stations provide lead-free drinking water to students and staff throughout the school day. Additionally, all students received a reusable water bottle to help them stay hydrated in the classroom and at play, while also learning about water quality issues and making healthy beverage choices.
The event is hosted by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP), RCAP’s Southeastern partner, as part of the RCAP Agua4All program. Funding for the bottles and filling stations was provided by the Chris Long Foundation’s HometownH2O program and Xylem. SERCAP also replaced old and dilapidated water fountains at the Allendale-Fairfax High School and an adjacent vocational school.
Two-time Super Bowl Champion and founder of Waterboys, Chris Long, stated, “access to clean drinking water is a fundamental right for all children. We’re proud to partner with RCAP, SERCAP, and Xylem through our HometownH2O program to ensure students at Allendale-Fairfax Elementary have safe, lead-free water. Together, we’re making a real difference in the lives of these students.”
“SERCAP is excited to be a part of this effort. Some of the previous fountains at the Allendale-Fairfax High School and elementary schools were old and rusting and not functioning well. SERCAP is grateful to the Chris Long Foundation’s HometownH2O program and Xylem for supplying the funds to make this happen,” Heather Preston and Willie Morgan, SERCAP staff, shared.
Xylem, a global water technology company, was also a key partner in this effort, donating funds to support the installation of new water bottle filling stations and providing volunteers to educate students about water. Xylem also provided planters and flowers for the property to enhance and beautify the school environment.
“At Xylem, we are dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to clean and safe drinking water. Partnering with RCAP, SERCAP and the Chris Long Foundation allows us to make a meaningful impact in Allendale,” said Susan O’Grady, Sr. Director of Marketing, Xylem. “Our support extends beyond providing the technology; we are committed to engaging with the community, educating students about water and contributing to a healthier school environment.”
Since the Agua4All program’s launch, RCAP, across all six of RCAP’s geographic regions, has installed hundreds of water bottle filling stations and point-of-use (POU) treatment solutions including POU arsenic filters in Arvin, CA, schools and various community buildings and parks. Agua4All program participants have included well over 100 schools in more than 40 districts serving dozens of rural communities. It has since grown from its California roots to provide increased access to and consumption of safe drinking water to rural schools in several states across the country. This work has been supported broadly by both public and philanthropic funds since 2014 including entities such as The California Endowment, the Chris Long Foundation, and CoBank who are dedicated to the health and wellness of children, especially those in underserved areas of the country.
RCAP was able to leverage this philanthropic support and was awarded $3.65 million from the EPA’s WIIN Act program to assist with the voluntary reduction of lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. RCAP and four of its regional partners, Communities Unlimited (CU), Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP), RCAP Solutions (RSOL), and SERCAP, will reduce lead in schools and childcare facilities in rural communities in at least 9 states through remediation strategies including installing water bottle filling stations with ANSI/NSF-approved lead removal filters and replacing fixtures.
RCAP looks forward to connecting with students, teachers, administrators, agencies, local government, and other non-profit partners to build greater awareness around dangers of lead and the importance of safe drinking water access and consumption and how Agua4All can help.
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About Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP): The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) is a national network of non-profit partners working to provide technical assistance, training, resources, and support to rural communities a across every state, the U.S. territories, and Tribal lands. Through RCAP’s regional partners, more than 350 technical assistance providers (TAPs) build long-term, trusted relationships with thousands of communities across the country.
About Southeastern Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP): Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (SERCAP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life for low-to-moderate income individuals living in the Southeast United States. Since 1969, when SERCAP first brought clean, safe drinking water to low-income rural residents of Virginia’s Roanoke Valley, the agency has grown into an organization directly responsible for providing safe water, sanitary water disposal, and structurally sound housing to well over a million households across its seven-state service region.
SERCAP’s work focused on access to clean water, but the agency quickly realized that water is just one of many basic daily needs. Now SERCAP advocates to ensure all residents living in the agency’s service region have daily access to clean and affordable drinking water, working indoor plumbing and wastewater facilities, and safe and affordable housing in which to live.
About the Chris Long Foundation and Waterboys: The Chris Long Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded by two-time Super Bowl Champion and 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, Chris Long. We mobilize champions, service providers, and experts to help communities access clean water, address basic needs for youth and families, and inspire others to make an impact at home and abroad. Our vision is access and opportunity everywhere. To date, the Waterboys initiative has provided clean water to over 550,000 people in need in East Africa and at home through our HometownH2O program. Visit chrislongfoundation.org and waterboys.org to learn more.
About Xylem: Xylem (XYL) is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company that empowers customers and communities to build a more water-secure world. Our 23,000 diverse employees delivered combined pro forma revenue of $8.1 billion in 2023, optimizing water and resource management with innovation and expertise. Join us at www.xylem.com and Let’s Solve Water.
Media Contact:
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