MORTON GROVE, Ill. - ITT Corp., the parent company of Bell & Gossett, Goulds Pumps, and other brands serving the HVAC and plumbing industries, partnered with Mercy Corps to donate five portable water treatment systems to the Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan in response to the recent flooding.

Of the more than 15 million people the Pakistan floods are estimated to have affected, the World Health Organization estimates only 1.2 million had access to critical safe water supplies. The water treatment units, which have the potential to provide clean water to as many as 200,000 people, were donated by ITT and are being deployed through Mercy Corps’ large-scale humanitarian aid response.

This collaborative disaster response is part of a strategic partnership between ITT and Mercy Corps to provide safe water and sanitation during emergencies. Within hours of being notified of the Pakistan disaster, ITT authorized Mercy Corps to tap $62,000 of ITT’s 2010 emergency response fund to support efforts to provide clean water to flood victims. ITT is also matching all ITT employee donations to Mercy Corps’ Pakistan relief efforts.

ITT and Mercy Corps’ joint activities have included trucking and chlorination of water, repair of water-related infrastructure, and restoration and construction of new water sources. In the Swat Valley alone, ITT’s support has already helped Mercy Corps provide 1.1 million gallons of water to 110,000 people. Mercy Corps’ initial assessments in Swat Valley and Sindh province identified an acute need for access to water and sanitation. As many as 4 million people have been rendered homeless following the worst South Asian floods in 80 years.

“We are pleased to be using our expertise in fluid technology to support our partner, Mercy Corps, in providing victims with immediate assistance as well as long-term recovery,” said Steve Loranger, chairman, president, and CEO of ITT. “Our funds and our products are being used to provide life-saving water and to prevent the spread of waterborne disease.”

“Flood victims in Pakistan have an enormous and urgent need for clean drinking water; without it, waterborne illnesses can spread rapidly and have a devastating impact,” said Randy Martin, Mercy Corps director of global emergency operations. “We are thrilled that ITT has been so quick and generous in their support. ITT’s expertise, equipment, and funding have been critical.”

Publication date: 11/01/2010