OCEAN CITY — Ocean City resident Jake Holzer visited the Howard Stainton Senior Center on July 23 to discuss the global clean water crisis that affects more than 2 billion people worldwide.
The seniors learned about the issue, then assembled filters for those suffering from lack of suitable water. Each filter provides 10 people with clean water for more than 10 years, and about 15 people took part in the assembly.
“Their local efforts can have a global impact, including for those across our own country suffering from devastating flooding and wildfires,” Holzer said.
The rising senior at St. Augustine Prep began a clean water charity initiative during his junior year.
“I’ve always felt a strong desire to help others, especially those who are underserved or in crisis, such as after natural disasters,” the 17-year-old said. “I cannot stand the idea of people struggling without support or basic necessities.”
His passion led Holzer to explore ways he could have a positive effect.
“I learned about the global clean water crisis then discovered Wine to Water (WTW), an international charity that tackles the crisis by providing those affected a means of creating clean water for themselves through long-lasting, high-volume filters,” Holzer said. “It is a perfect way to channel my conviction into action. This organization aligns with my values and allows me to directly impact those with a life sustaining need — water.”
He said the crisis affects more than a quarter of the world’s population, including 2.2 million in the United States.
“In the U.S., natural disasters damage water treatment plants and distribution infrastructures, disrupting water supplies. Floods and shifting ground contaminate wells and public water systems over great distances. Waterborne diseases, debris from buildings, agriculture runoff and sewage all accumulate and pollute water supplies for miles,” Holzer said. “The consequences are often deadly. Repairing the water supply infrastructure can take months to even years, especially in remote areas where power supplies and roadways are also devastated. Thus, water scarcity far outlasts the initial disaster and drives excess deaths for years.”
He said relief requires immediate support, followed by sustained, large-scale supplies of clean water.
“Bottled water has many limitations. It requires ongoing transportation and storage, is very costly, generates enormous plastic waste and cannot keep up with the long-term demand over the prolonged course of recovery,” Holzer said. “A better option is to provide victims with a durable, affordable, portable, eco-friendly means of generating clean water for themselves.”
He said the Wine to Water Filter (wtw.org) removes 99.9999 percent of viruses, bacteria and contaminants, and 100 percent of microplastics.
WTW offers the opportunity to partner in providing clean water by not only funding but actually assembling filters that they will then distribute to those in need.
Holzer’s goal was to fund and build as many filters as possible.
“It typically takes about 15 minutes to assemble a filter, meaning that one could build many over a few days. However, I very much want to share the experience. Filter build events have many characteristics making them especially rewarding,” he said. “Providing clean water is a noble goal with a meaningful social connection through helping others in a lifesaving way. Assembling the filters is a challenge that requires learning a new skill, which breeds a sense of accomplishment. It’s a great experience.”
Holzer also is raising funds through a donation page on the WTW site at give.wtw.org/team/637474. He also designed clothing (T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies) with an image of the filter and a QR code on the front that leads to the WTW page that he sells at bonfire.com/jakes-essential-impact.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
