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Rally for clean water this weekend
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March 13, 2009 | 12:16 PM
To coincide with the United Nation's World Water Day, East Northport Rotary is holding its "Walk For Clean Water" on Sunday, March 22.
Marie Failey, the local Rotary's new president, said the 2.23-mile each way walk, simulates the 3- to 6-mile distance that women and children in developing countries must often walk to get clean drinking water.
Failey said that if impoverished people had clean water in their homes and villages, women and children could focus on becoming educated, improving their lives and eliminating disease.
The group also aims to create a sense of awareness "that we have really good water here, not by accident, because the Town of Huntington works to make sure we have clean water," Failey said. "You don't have to drink bottled water. You can drink our water: it's very safe."
Non-biodegradable plastic bottles take a lot of energy to produce and fill up the dumps to much environmental detriment, she added.
Beginning 9 am, walkers will amble north from the East Northport train station through Northport to Cow Harbor Park alongside Northport Harbor.
There will be speakers including Northport Mayor George Doll and Trustee Tom Kehoe, along with various demonstrations. Buckets filled with water will be on hand "so people can pick them and walk around and see what it's really like to really have to carry water," Failey said.
According to the United Nations Development Program, more than a billion people, or about one in six worldwide, have no access to clean and safe drinking water, while over two billion lack adequate sanitation. Living with unclean water is often linked to a cycle of poverty, conflict, disease and death.
Jim Leonick, East Northport Rotary's outgoing president who has helped raise money for Students for 60,000's Nicaragua water projects, explained that clean water impacts hygiene and toilet facilities.
"When you deal with those two issues together, it helps to fight disease. …" Leonick said. "If you can keep people healthier, then children can attend school … It affects productivity for people to work in some capacity, to help support themselves and raise their food and things like that."
Failey said that Starbucks Coffee Company has pledged to Rotary a $1,000 "Make Your Mark" grant. Individuals may also donate. All proceeds go to Rotary International's clean water project in Haiti.
Joining Rotary's efforts on the 22nd, Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R-East Northport) said Long Islanders should have a special appreciation for the value of clean water.
"New York City is always trying to get their hands on our underground aquifers," he said. "When you think about all the countries who don't even have clean water to drink, never mind food, everyone should take time to pause and think about how fortunate we are."
Failey couldn't agree more. "When you turn the water on and it's clean and you can use it, that's really a gift," she said. It's really something that's quite amazing, and you should appreciate it and you should work to keep it."
With that in mind, participants should plan on "working" early on walk day; Failey advised walkers to arrive by 8:30 am, she said. Those who do not wish to walk the full 4.5-mile round trip should arrange to have someone give them a ride near Northport Harbor.
To register in advance, call 261-2500 or email rotarianmarie@gmail.com.
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