Thirst Relief International
Toll-free Phone: 1-866-5THIRST
Voice: 614-529-8335
E-mail: info@thirstrelief.org

Mailing Address:
Thirst Relief International
P.O. Box 436
Lewis Center, OH 43035-0436

1. Q: Is Thirst Relief accepting new water project proposals at this time?
   A: Thank you for considering a partnership with Thirst Relief! We regret to inform you that our current funding level is such that we are unable to fund any new projects.

   We are continually striving and succeeding at improving our donor base. Thirst Relief has been able to implement nearly two new water projects per year since its inception in 2005. However, at this time we are unable to fund any new projects.

   Thank you again for considering us and we wish you the best in your pursuit of saving lives and changing the world!

2. Q: How does just $5 save a life by providing a long-term source of clean drinking water?
   A: Economical and Dependable Technology
   In most thirst-world applications, the solution to the clean drinking water need is found in the concrete Bio-sand Filter. The Bio-sand Filter has the ability to produce safe, clean drinking water from both contaminated surface water and ground water sources alike. As a result, this simple yet effective technology provides a long-term, sustainable and economical solution.

   Thirst Relief’s cost to build, deliver and install a concrete Bio-sand Filter is anywhere between $50-$90 depending on location, which in turn benefits up to 20 people in need.

   Our cost to repair an existing broken hand pump is $300-$800, which in turn benefits 500- 1,000 people in need.

   Our cost to drill a new well is typically $1,500 but can be as much as $4,000 depending on geographical conditions. Wells benefit 500-3,000 people in need.

   World Class Operations Model

   We are not all the dots but we connect them. We use local materials and labor at the point of need which eliminates shipping and customs

   100 percent of your donation goes directly to people in need! Thirst Relief is blessed to have a significant donor who covers salary and all operations expense. This allows all other donations to go directly to the people of your choosing who are in such desperate need of clean drinking water.

3. Q: What is a Bio-sand Filter and how does it work?
   A: What it is

   The concrete Bio-sand Filter is an innovative version of the slow sand filter specifically designed for intermittent and/or household use. The filter has a daily output to meet the needs of 10-20 people. The concrete Bio-sand Filter is comprised of a concrete container (the approximate size of an office water cooler) with an inset plastic pipe and filled with layers of sand and gravel.

   How it Works

   Contaminated water is poured into the top of the filter where a diffuser plate distributes the water over the sand bed. The water travels through the sand bed, passes through the multiple layers of gravel and collects in the plastic pipe at the base of the filter. The water is purified via an anaerobic process – meaning the viruses, parasites and bacteria are eliminated through a process of oxygen deprivation. The clean water then exits the plastic piping for the user to collect. The water produced by the Bio-sand Filter process is odorless, tasteless, clear in color and safe for human consumption.

   Studies have shown the Bio-sand Filter effectively removes more than 90 percent of bacteria and 100 percent of parasites. Although the filter does remove more than 90 percent of bacteria, which is often below the infectious dose, it is recommended to use disinfection (UV, boiling or chlorine) after filtering the water to eliminate all bacteria and virus matter.

4. Q: Are filters constructed in the U.S. and shipped or are they constructed on site?
   A: The Bio-sand Filters are produced locally at the point of need using locally available materials and labor. Because of this, Thirst Relief provides many people with employment via filter technician jobs.

5. Q: How does Thirst Relief work with their ground partners?
   A: Thirst Relief works to implement new water projects by first establishing trusted relationships with potential partners prior to project implementation. Once the partnership is ready for implementation and the funds available, Thirst Relief will send a team of trained technicians to properly educate the new ground partners on everything from sanitation- hygiene training and filter and/or well technology to project sustainability and business practices. In short, Thirst Relief provides all of the funding for each water project as well as curriculum, training, filter molds, jobs, etc.

6. Q: Is Thirst Relief a Religious or Humanitarian organization?
   A: Thirst Relief is a 501(c)3 organization with the IRS as an organization that operates only “to overcome death and disease resulting from consumption of contaminated water by providing safe clean drinking water to those in need around the world” (IRS form 990).

   We work with whoever is willing to help us accomplish our mission. Some of our current supporters and partners are corporations, small businesses, NGO’s, Christian organizations, churches and missionaries.