The Rotary Club of Milwaukee is advancing its global support of water improvement projects with help from Brown Deer-based Badger Meter, Inc., which recently donated 350 residential water meters to Rotary-backed projects in the Guatemalan highlands.
At the helm of these improvement projects are area chapters of Engineers Without Borders, which Rotary has been supporting with financial gifts since 2006.
The donated meters will benefit seven Guatemalan communities and about 2,500 residents who currently rely on a single potable water source.
“The water meters donated by Badger Meter are not only a meaningful gift to the residents of the seven affected Guatemalan communities but also to our club,” said Kathie Eilers, president of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. “Through the continual support of local partners like Badger Meter, Rotary and Engineers Without Borders are able to further strengthen water, hygiene and sanitation programs around the world.”
Water use among the seven Guatemalan communities is currently unregulated. With these meters, water will be distributed more equitably among communities and shared fairly among residents. The meters will be particularly beneficial to individuals and families struggling financially, as they will now only have to pay for the water they use.
“Badger Meter is proud to support Rotary and Engineers Without Borders through their work in Guatemalan communities,” said Richard Meeusen, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the manufacturer. “Our water meter donation will help ensure fair water delivery so that everyone in the communities will have access to potable water. Additionally, our gift will help collect data that will greatly improve future water projects proposed in the area.”
