Coca-Cola partners plans to launch 'Rain Water Harvesting and Drinking Water Project' in Bangladesh with a view to enhancing availability of water in communities and ensure supply of safe drinking water among school children and their families. The project involves installation of Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) systems in 5 schools in Mirpur area of Dhaka City and Barguna Sadar. The project will be implemented with the support of Dushtha Shastha Kendra, an NGO, Ward Sanitation Task Force, Community Development Forums and School Management Committee to ensure sustainability. The RWH projects to create a total harvest capacity of 32,50,000 liters of water with a view to providing drinking water access to over 1000 children throughout the year. The project to be commissioned at a cost of USD 20,000 and would be completed by September 2009. School Management Committees and User Committees to be formed to promote awareness on the water conservation, maintenance, health & hygiene and safe drinking Water. To ensure water sustainability and to provide safe drinking water in schools, Coca-Cola Far East Ltd, in partnership with Plan Bangladesh on September 18 last announced in the city the launch of an innovative 'Rain Water Harvesting & Drinking Water Project' in Bangladesh. The project includes installation of rain water harvesting (RWH) systems, storage tanks and water filters in five primary schools in Mirpur area in the city and Barguna Sadar upazila. With over 110,000 children dying due to waterborne diseases every year in Bangladesh, the initiative aims to empower the communities to conserve water and improve access to safe drinking water. Coca-Cola and Plan Bangladesh are also partnering to raise awareness amongst the school children and their families for better water resources management. The project aims to promote Rain Water Harvesting as a sustainable solution for addressing Water related issues in Bangladesh. The RWH systems once commissioned will have an overall harvest capacity of 32,50,000 liters of rain water per annum. The entire 'Rain Water Harvesting & Drinking Water Project' will get commissioned at a total cost of $ 20,000 by September 2009. The unique initiative once complete would benefit over 1000 children with access to potable water throughout the year. In addition, millions of liters of harvested water can also be utilized for secondary purposes like washing and sanitation. According to Edward Thomas Espey, Country Director, Plan Bangladesh, "Plan Bangladesh is committed to provide deprived children with access to basic amenities. Launch of Rain Water Harvesting & Drinking Water Project' in partnership with Coca-Cola Far East Ltd is a unique initiative in this direction. The Project intrinsically involves creating awareness amongst the various stakeholders on the need and importance of water resources management. We are happy that Coca-Cola has helped us launch a unique multidimensional water program." To ensure sustainability and community involvement, a special 20-member user and management committee would be formed. The project would also be supported by Dushtha Shastha Kendra, an NGO, Ward Sanitation Task Force, Community Development Forums and School Management Committee to ensure sustainability. As part of the initiative, School Management Committees will also be formed involving teachers, parents & community members to promote awareness on the benefits of RWH systems, ensure maintenance, health and hygiene and safe drinking Water. According to Debasish Deb, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Far East Ltd, "Water is fundamental to all communities and we understand that businesses thrive only amidst vibrant and sustainable societies. We are excited to partner with Plan Bangladesh for commissioning of 'Water conservation and Drinking Water Project' in five schools in Dhaka and Barguna. This latest initiative shall harvest 32,50,000 liters of rainwater, additionally resulting in over 1000 children having better access to safe drinking water. The project is part of Coca-Cola's overall goal to create water sustainability within all the communities where it operates." The project aims to ensure supply of safe water in schools and raise awareness among school children and their families. The initiative also promotes the benefits of rainwater harvesting as a sustainable alternative source of water as the country receives heavy downpour every year with an average annual rainfall varying from 2,200 to 2800 mm. Commissioning of the rain water harvesting (RWH) systems in five primary schools in Dhaka would involve preparation of rain water collection surfaces, installation of piping systems, and construction of a storage tank, along with distribution and cleaning taps. Classrooms will be specially equipped with filtration systems to ensure bacteriological safety of the water at the point of consumption. The entire initiative would be further complemented by raising awareness at multiple levels right from (A) strengthening the capacity of the school authority and children to involve them to take lead role in disseminating messages on rain water harvesting in the school catchments areas. (B) Raising community awareness on using rainwater. (C) Strengthening community capacity for operation and maintenance of RWH systems. (D) Building capacity of private sector through training and on-the-job coaching. (E) Increasing access to safe water in schools