CDM News - August 2007 - (Page 12)

Engineering Better Lives In a world where one in six people lacks access to clean drinking water, engineers can be lifesavers. Dustin L. Craig, CDM environmental engineer, learned that while assessing the water supply for a series of small villages in the Dominican Republic, where children play among cinder block homes with no access to electricity or clean water. Craig is just one of many CDM employees volunteering their time to improve basic living conditions for communities in developing countries through the Engineers Without Borders organization. The nonproﬁt humanitarian group works to provide some of life’s most basic amenities, such as a clean water supply, a reliable water distribution system, or an adequate sanitation system. “I felt compelled to become involved with Engineers Without Borders because it can really help others, from a health and quality of life standpoint, by developing and implementing engineering projects,” Craig said. “I don’t think enough engineers, or people in general, realize the severe lack of access to clean and safe drinking water in the world.” Right, top to bottom: Engineers Without Borders works to improve the water systems of communities in developing countries, which often lack basic infrastructure. This child in Agou Avedje is among those who will benefit from a better water system there. Hanna L. Sloan, CDM water resources engineer, assesses the water supply in Agou Avedje. Roughly 1.1 billion people have no dependable source of clean drinking water, and 2.6 billion have inadequate sanitation facilities, according to the World Health Organization. These two issues are among the leading causes of death for children living in developing countries, where dysentery, malaria, and E. coli infections are common. Since its founding in 2000, Engineers Without Borders has improved the lives of more than 600,000 people in 41 countries. CDM has supported the group as one of just a handful of companies that have earned a “platinum sponsor” designation through corporate donations. Meeting the Most Basic, and Most Important, Needs What’s more, CDM has also created a unique philanthropy, outreach, and training program that matches volunteer service with grants of up to $2,500 per employee. These funds may be spent to cover expenses related to Engineers Without Borders projects, such as airfare, lodging, or immunizations. CDM is also willing to provide equipment and materials for testing and sampling. “For CDM, it was a very simple decision to support Engineers Without Borders,” said Paul R. Shea, P.E., BCEE, DBIA, President of CDM’s Construction Division. “It is an organization that complements

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of CDM News - August 2007

Contents Envisioning Tomorrow’s Dublin Initiative & Innovation Stabilize Mercury Mines Preserving Old Town Alexandria Taking a Hard Look at Concrete Corrosion Perspective: Harnessing Bioenergy Engineering Better Lives CDM Announces Award-Winning Projects People Highlights

CDM News - August 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.