Hundreds join CSRA Walk for Water at SRP Park

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WJBF) – The CSRA is raising awareness for the global water crisis. Hundreds came together in North Augusta Saturday morning for the annual Walk for Water hosted by the Water Mission.

Families, schools, churches, and businesses gathered at SRP Park to take part in the three-mile walk, each step symbolizing the daily journey millions of people around the world make to access clean water.

Participants started the walk carrying empty buckets. Halfway through, they filled them with water at St. Paul’s Church before returning to SRP Park. Once there, they poured the dirty water into a pool that was then filtered.

“This is designed to take dirty water from no matter where it comes from, to siphon it and filter it down to drinkable water,” said James Schaffer with Summer House Realty. 

“It’s crazy how the number one necessity for us as humans to survive, there are so many places that don’t have clean water.”

Schaffer says his company partners with Water Mission to provide filtration systems to communities across the globe.

“They have local staff offices in different regions, so they have a great appreciation of the different cultural differences,” said Jeff Kertscher, a planning committee member for the CSRA Walk for Water. 

“They go into these villages to provide clean water sites that will last forever.”

Those systems can be found in countries including India, Indonesia, and Mexico, and even here in the United States. 

Water Mission also provided clean water resources and generators after Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina.

The organization has helped more than 8 million people worldwide gain access to clean water and has raised more than $175,000 in the CSRA over the last seven years.