Meet Our Donors

On behalf of Water for People, we would like to thank all of our current donors for their generosity and support. Here are some of their stories.

How I Came Support Water for People Comments by Bill Butler - Founding President, WFP Canada

My efforts on behalf of Water For People began quite by accident. It was June 1994, in New York; I was attending the AWWA Directors meeting and Annual Conference. Over two consecutive days I had walked for several hours in the exhibition hall viewing the water industry’s newest and best products and it was time to rest. Glancing at my program I spied a slide presentation on the fieldwork of Water For People, sounded good -slide show, darkened room; comfortable seat - perfect.

I got there just as Ken Miller, Founding President of WFP was saying, “if an earthquake or landslide were to occur anywhere in the world overnight and 5,000 people died - all the media outlets throughout the world would be telling the story for days.” He followed that with, “5,000 people did die in the past 24 hours from waterborne disease and not one media outlet said a word.” These remarks stuck with me then and ever since.

A few weeks prior to hearing Mr. Miller’s comments, I had attended a meeting where Health Canada officials advised that consideration was being given to lower the Canadian Drinking Water Guideline for trihalomethanes (THM’s) from 350 ppb (parts per billion) to 50 ppb. The Health Canada officials advised that the science behind lowering the guideline to this level would mean one (1) less death from cancer in Canada every 70 years for individuals who drink 6/8 glasses of water a day. What a contrast to what Ken was telling us! As I listened to Ken’s presentation something in my being told me I had to find out more and act. So much for finding a place to rest!

The next day I had the opportunity to discuss with others what had moved me so strongly. I was attending a meeting of the Canadian Affairs Committee of AWWA made up of a representative from each of the five AWWA Sections in Canada. Right then and there they agreed to establish Water For People Canada as a Canadian corporation! Then they agreed to serve on the inaugural Board of Directors. By February 1995, WFPC became a registered charity. Ken Miller was the one person most influential in my involvement with Water For People. I continue to advocate on behalf of Water For People today.

Looking to the future, I believe Water For People will always be indebted to its founding visionaries – the water and wastewater industry. However, the needs of the world’s people for water and sanitation facilities is so great that I believe we will see interest and support well beyond the water industry including foundations, individuals and global corporations. It just could be that Water For People will become a household name. When we can influence all people to accept that they have a moral duty to assist those less fortunate then there will be a chance to win the global battle against water related diseases.

I will leave you with one question to ponder by yourself. What more can I do?

Water for People
6666 West Quincy Avenue
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 734-3497