Aquascape Foundation harvest rain water

Water is such a vital but scarce resource. The Aquascape Foundation's solutions include installing rain harvesting systems in areas that desperately need safe drinking water.

The foundation's first project was a system for a school in Ghana.

Unlike harvesting systems that we use for landscape watering or cleaning, areas like Ghana need them for drinking and cooking water. For that reason, the foundation installed a purifying system called an ionization unit that does not need electricity.

"In Ghana the kids were going to the river and carrying buckets and baskets back with water," said Jeff Payton, vice president of business development for Aquascape, Inc.

The foundation plans to install its second system in Colombia in January, said Julie A. Van Buskirk, who handles publicity for the foundation.

The foundation, which receives funding from the Aquascape, Inc., pond tour, uses equipment donated by Aquascape and other companies, and people who install the systems pay their own travel costs, she said.