Express & Star

Barhale helps bring fresh, clean water to village in Zimbabwe

A charitable link between Walsall-based civil engineering and infrastructure specialists Barhale and water cooler firm AquAid has resulted in an 'elephant pump' being built in Manicaland, a province in the north-eastern highlands of Zimbabwe.

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The Barhale elephant pump in Zimbabwe

For every AquAid mains fed water cooler rented on an annual basis by Barhale across its offices and sites, a donation is made to The Africa Trust, founded by AquAid, to provide the pumps in Third World countries as well as support other projects that will bring sustainable solutions to poverty in Africa.

Elephant pumps are a modified version of an old Chinese rope pulley system and AquAid have been supplying them to communities across parts of Zimbabwe, Malawi and Liberia to ensure a source of clean and fresh drinking water. Built using readily and locally available materials, allowing the community to more easily repair the pump if needed, it can provide safe drinking water for upwards of 300 people for decades.

“We are delighted that our decision to use water coolers from AquAid is making a positive difference to the lives of people in Zimbabwe,” said Karl Woodward, procurement director at Barhale’s Walsall office.

“As a company we are very conscious of how important hydration is to ensure everybody can perform at their best and take fresh, clean water for granted. This tie-up reminds us that in many parts of the world there are people who are not as fortunate as us.”

The pump proudly displays the Barhale name on its side.