Smart Water for Green Schools

Over 1.1 billion people do not have access to drinkable water, leaving roughly one sixth of the world’s population at risk of contracting fatal diseases and illnesses. Green Cross International’s Smart Water for Green Schools initiative is a local and concrete approach to reverse the present trends of water-related illness and death. Through the construction and implementation of rainwater harvesting systems and ecological latrines, GCI will provide a reliable supply of water, hygiene and sanitation facilities, as well as environmental education to school children, teachers, and parents living in transboundary river basins around the globe.

Green Cross will focus its initiative on schools located in river basins and especially international river basins. The exchange of experiences between schools of several countries along a river basin is a powerful tool for peace promotion and cross-cultural exchanges, especially in regions of tension over natural resources.

A pilot project phase will be run during 2010 and 2011 to cover 40 schools in the La Plata, Volta, Mekong and Jordan River Basins (10 schools in each river basin) with the following objectives:

• Providing Rainwater Harvesting Systems and Ecological Latrines
• Ensuring replicability and sustainability of the systems
• Providing hygiene and sanitation education
• Promoting environmental awareness and cross-cultural exchanges between schools located in the same river basins, and other schools around the world
• Promotion of smart water systems and water conservation at the national and international levels

This project will be implemented first in a number of schools in Ghana along the Volta river. For more information on this project, please download the Smart Water for Green Schools fact sheet.

Pureology is supporting this project through its global partnership with GCI. Any person or salon that applies eco-friendly practices and wishes to support Pureology and Green Cross International’s cause in sustainability is encouraged to become a PureGreen Individual Member or a PureGreen Eco-Conscious Salon Member. Please click here for more information on the partnership or click here to become a member.

If you are interested in participating in this project or would like further information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it