Red Cross to Hand Out Revolutionary Water Filter in Colombia

The Red Cross in Colombia is stepping up its efforts to make water more accessible in the country. The Colombian Red Cross, together with the Baylor Foundation and Ogilvy Colombia, are handing out Filter Caps to vulnerable populations in Colombia. Filter Caps are a revolutionary piece of biodegradable technology for water. The aim is to increase the quality of life of at least 10,000 people in Colombia’s most remote areas in the first phase of the project. 

The Red Cross, alongside the other two foundations, has stated that Filter Caps are biodegradable filters that have the potential to process 720,000 letters of clean water a year. The filter uses 3D printed technology and is made with sustainable materials. Some of the materials used in this process include a resin base and sweet corn starch. This significantly reduces the dependence on conventional plastics. 

Gaston Postasz, Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy Colombia, stated, “We believe that creativity has a very strong transformative value, and if this is combined with Baylor’s commitment and the Red Cross’s great expertise to reach the entire country, then what is achieved is an exceptional impact on people’s lives. We set out to create a solution as innovative as it is simple. That’s why we thought of this filter that can not only make water safe, but also mineralizes it.”

How will the Colombian Red Cross distribute the water filters?

In the first phase of the process, the Colombian Red Cross will distribute 480 units of the Filter Caps in the following communities: Centro Alto in Sopo; Cundinamarca, El Tablon and El Retiro in La Plata; and Huila and Santa Barbara in the Totoro Municipality in the Cauca. 

The hope is that this distribution by the Red Cross will immediately boost access to water in Colombia and its more secluded villages.

Dr. Judith Carvajal, President of the Colombian Red Cross, complimented this intervention. She declared, “In a country where the lack of access to safe water is a growing concern, it is essential to find innovative solutions that not only address this basic need but also promote the well-being and quality of life of our communities. This project is a tangible example of how collaboration between various entities can make a significant difference and how, through initiatives like this, we can move towards a healthier and more prosperous future for all.”

To verify the success of Filter Caps, a delegation of the three companies, led by the Colombian Red Cross, visited the community of Flor de Olivo in La Guajira, a northern region of Colombia. Two hundred Filter Caps were distributed, and the result was an overwhelming success. Gaston Postasz claimed, “After visiting families, we saw how quickly they adopted Filter Caps, and how, in turn, the technology changes their lives. Being able to access water is sometimes a privilege, and with Filter Caps, we are offering a simple, clear, and real solution.”