Deutsche Hospitality funds water treatment plant in Egypt

Deutsche Hospitality has joined forces with atmosfair, a not-for-profit climate protection organisation, to fund a second self-sufficient solar-powered water treatment plant in Asmant, located south-west of Cairo.

Nearly 10,000 people now have access to clean drinking water with effect from this month following the cooperative project, a statement from the company said.

The project was financed using resources raised by the “Deutsche Hospitality 1x1” scheme, which donates €1 (US $1.16) to charitable causes for every booking made via the Steigenberger and IntercityHotel websites.

The first water treatment plant was launched in El Kefah, and now, in the second plant, a so-called “SunMeetsWater” technology enables a decentralised location to be chosen. Photovoltaic modules on the roof of the plant mean that no external electricity source is needed and no emissions are produced. The system also filters out all heavy metals and disinfects the water at the same time, the statement further explained.

From the treatment plant, up to 10,000 litres of water can be supplied every for use. The water meets the quality standards set by the World Health Organisation and the plant has plans to introduce a card payment system in the near future in order to secure the long-term sustainability of the project.

Each user of the plant will receive a prepay card which can be held against a reader when water is drawn. These revenues will enable maintenance and repair measures to be financed in future.