Training sustainable clean water initiative

Often, disaster response has included various components, technologies and expertise that arrive in an emergency situation and the seperate components are managed to respond. Howerver, a more harmonius approach would be to bring critical elements that work can together as one unit that can arrive ready to work together and provide a longer sustainable response.

Louisville Water Company, SeS Technologies, EDGE OUTREACH and C. Martin Events (a FEMA support service) have made history on the banks of the Ohio River by combining their technologies to provide electricity, safe water, communications and shelter to first responders in the event of a disaster.

The Renewable Power Resource Station (RPRS) designed by Li An Chou and SeS uses solar power, wind turbines, a propane generator, and a hydro generator to produce electricity and store it in a bank of batteries. The RPRS can provide 10 kilowatts of continuous power to a water delivery/purification system and a Command and Control Center capable of housing four relief workers with a restroom, shower, kitchen, and satellite Internet connection. The Command and Control Center, designed and built by Charlie Martin of C. Martin Events, will act as a hub for relief workers. C. Martin specializes in Control Centers for FEMA and overseeing building full operation bases with lodging, equipment and meals for 100's of relief workers and built Control Centers for FEMA.

EDGE OUTREACH will use the station’s renewable power source to filter and purify water from the Ohio River, simulating the organization’s disaster relief work. The Louisville Water Company will provide consultation and water quality testing after the purification process to ensure the water is safe for use and consumption. Water quality due to the recent flooding in the area will provide prime conditions for testing the station. In the event of a disaster that disrupts public utilities, this system can be used anywhere in the world.

When disaster strikes and public infrastructure is destroyed, swift action must be taken to prevent the spread of disease. The Renewable Power Resource Station will protect the health of relief workers and provide a power source for life-saving technology, provide living quarters and offices with satalite links and stronger opperations for water and medical response.

The EDGE Water Department staff and vounteers like Joe Jacoby did an outstanding job setting up the demonstration for interested officals including Tina Ward-Pugh, 9th Ward Alderman, and others from interested organizations. WLKY and the Louisville Courier Journal were there to cover this significant event. Please take the time to read their stories and learn more about what can done.

Next steps...Tina Ward-Pugh is working on a more permanent display and demonstration spot for the complete disaster set up at the Metro Sewer District plant at Beargrass Creek and Brownsboro Rd. Our friends at MSD have been incredibly supportive and know the critical role sanitation plays in our lives and in world health.

It takes a lot of people to make a difference and find solutions that can meet the unpredictable circumstances caused by natural disasters. It's exciting to work along side with such people to imagine and initiate effective solutions. Partnerships are key and the powerful element of creativity in the City of Louisville, KY is saving lives and impacting the world.