Ensuring clean potable water supply for rural folk

THE consumption of contaminated water can cause diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery and typhoid, and this is a common occurrence in rural areas.

Water security plays an important role in the health and well- being of any community, as the quality and sustainability of water resources are critical to the survival of people and the planet.

In light of this, IOI Properties Group (IOIPG) launched its “IOI Water For Life” project in July 2021 in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6 and 17.

The project, in collaboration with Pertubuhan Komuniti Elite, was aimed at providing portable water filters to communities that do not have access to treated or clean water.

Through this project, IOIPG contributed water filters to communities that lacked access to piped water and relied on untreated water sources such as wells, ponds and rivers.

IOIPG has provided these filters to a number of villages, namely Kampung Orang Asli Gunung Arung in Endau and Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Salam in Ulu Tiram, both in Johor; and Kampung Chemomoi in Pahang.

Last October, IOIPG also partnered with Efinity Social Enterprise to distribute water filters to 172 families in Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Lalang Baru in Hulu Langat, Selangor, as well as organised a demonstration on the use and maintenance of the filters.

This was to ensure that the families know how to use the filters to continuously have access to clean drinking water.

Additionally, the IOI team donated daily essentials such as canned food and biscuits to the community.

“I am proud to participate in the ‘IOI Water For Life’ project, contributing water filters to this Orang Asli village,” said Nurul Atikah, who is a Team IOI volunteer from IOI Resort City customer relations unit.

“This visit is a very fulfilling experience for me as I am making a difference and helping a marginalised community,” she said.

Norastia, a Temuan villager from Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Lalang Baru said, “We are all very thankful to receive these water filters. They are easy to use and provide us with clean drinking water every day.”