Xylem, Waterboys initiative and Water Well Trust partner to ensure reliable water supply for local family An Ohio family once again has access to safe, reliable water, thanks to a collaborative effort between Xylem Inc., the Water Well Trust (WWT) and HometownH2O, a program of the Chris Long Foundation’s Waterboys initiative. As part of the Read more
HometownH2O
HometownH2O collaboration upgrades Ohio family’s water access with comprehensive well transformation
Xylem, Waterboys initiative and Water Well Trust partner to ensure reliable water supply for local family
An Ohio family once again has access to safe, reliable water, thanks to a collaborative effort between Xylem Inc., the Water Well Trust (WWT) and HometownH2O, a program of the Chris Long Foundation’s Waterboys initiative. As part of the project, the family’s well underwent a complete overhaul, including donated equipment and drilling and installation services for a new well.
Andrew and Megan Olson, and their son, Declan Ward, have been living without a reliable water source for two years. Their well pump failed when the pump and the motor came apart and fell into the well. A local installer attempted to retrieve the pump but was not successful. Since then, the family has been contending with Megan’s muscular dystrophy (MD) diagnosis, and an unreliable water supply further exacerbated the situation.
Over the last two years, they have had to travel around to different friends’ homes to shower and do laundry on the weekends, which made it difficult to do much else. Outside of daily tasks, the family’s limited water supply prohibited them from many of the hobbies they routinely enjoyed, such as gardening, backyard bonfires and exercising.
“Everything in our daily lives was more difficult without water. I will feel so much better when we can finally turn the faucet back on, given our reality of floating around to different friends’ houses to take showers, cook food or do laundry,” said Meg Olson, Water Well Trust beneficiary. “It was such a relief to get the call from the Water Well Trust, knowing our family would soon have access to water in our own home.”
Along with a new well, project partners worked to build a wooden access ramp for Megan. They also provided other services, such as yard cleanup and installing a basketball hoop. Donations from local distributor Warren Pump & Supply Co., well driller and pump installer Seismic Drilling Co., as well as The Vinyl Institute, who donated PVC piping material, rounded out the project and were instrumental to its success.
“Hearing what the Olson family has gone through the past two years makes it meaningful to be a part of this incredible project that will ensure water security for years to come,” said Alex Rodriguez, market development manager at Xylem. “Our mission at Xylem is to find innovative solutions to make a water-secure world, so being able to support the positive change in the Olson family’s living situation is an honor.”
The Olson family’s well upgrade is the 22nd project for HometownH2O, a domestic water initiative dedicated to supplying clean water to families in need. Currently, more than 2.2 million Americans lack access to clean water, making this joint effort between Long, his Foundation’s Waterboys initiative, Xylem, and the Water Well Trust a vital resource for families across the country.
Xylem, in conjunction with its Goulds Water Technology brand, is engaged in regular water well initiatives to provide secure water access to rural areas, striving to increase public awareness of the challenges surrounding lack of water access. For more information about the Chris Long Foundation and HometownH2O projects, visit waterboys.org/hometown.
Xylem, Chris Long Foundation’s Waterboys initiative and Water Well Trust partner to ensure reliable water supply for local Richards family Brett, Paula and their son, Chaz Richards will have secure access to safe and reliable water, thanks to a recent collaborative effort between Xylem Inc., the Water Well Trust (WWT) and Waterboys – a charity Read more
Xylem, Chris Long Foundation’s Waterboys initiative and Water Well Trust partner to ensure reliable water supply for local Richards family
Brett, Paula and their son, Chaz Richards will have secure access to safe and reliable water, thanks to a recent collaborative effort between Xylem Inc., the Water Well Trust (WWT) and Waterboys – a charity initiative founded by two-time Super Bowl Champion, Chris Long. As part of the project, the family received a comprehensive upgrade, including all necessary equipment and installation required for drilling a new well and building a pump house. Additionally, project partners worked to update the property with fresh mulch and a new coat of paint. Donations from local distributor Warren Pump & Supply Co., well driller and pump installer Mount Water Well Drilling, as well as The Vinyl Institute who donated PVC piping material, rounded out the project and were instrumental to its success.
“We’ve known the Richards family for years and I’m glad we can help them during this challenging time. Our goal is to ensure they have plenty of good, clean water in their home, so they won’t have to worry about water issues anymore,” said Todd Mount, Mount Water Well Drilling. “I think this project will be a blessing for their family, and it’s a blessing for us to be able to help. One of the things I love about this business is that we’re always helping someone get good water in their house, no matter what the situation is – that’s what we do.”
Since 2008, the Richards family has faced severe water shortages due to a low water supply in their well and an outdated casing. Plans to replace the defective well were put on hold due to unexpected medical issues for both Brett and Paula. This left the family struggling with basic needs, limiting showers to just three minutes, not using their washer for five years and barely using the tap. As the water supply continued to worsen, caring for up to four foster children became increasingly challenging, with even flushing the toilet becoming an issue at times.
“Our family has struggled with low water resources for years, adapting to a lifestyle that many wouldn’t imagine—from taking quick, military-style showers to timing our laundry days carefully. When we got the call about this project moving forward, it was an incredible blessing,” said Brett Richards, Water Well Trust beneficiary. “The thought of finally being able to turn on the water and enjoy a proper shower or even consider a garden in the future is overwhelming. We’re truly grateful for this opportunity to improve our daily lives.”
“Providing clean, reliable water to families like the Richards is at the heart of what we do. Every family deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have sustainable safe water in their home, and we’re honored to be a part of making that a reality,” said Chris Long, 2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner and founder of the Chris Long Foundation.
The Richards family’s well upgrade marks the 19th HometownH2O project, an extension of the Chris Long Foundation’s domestic water initiative working alongside WWT and Xylem to provide clean, sustainable water to communities in need. Water scarcity issues currently leave more than 2.2 million Americans without access to clean water, making this joint effort between Long, his Foundation’s Waterboys initiative and Xylem a vital resource for families across the country.
“We are incredibly proud to be part of this impactful initiative for the Richards family. By providing them with a new well and pump house, we’ve been able to address their critical water needs and offer a renewed sense of stability,” said Susan O’Grady, senior director of marketing, building services and agriculture, Xylem. “This project exemplifies our commitment to delivering innovative water solutions and underscores the significant impact that secure access to clean water can have on a family’s quality of life.”
Xylem, in conjunction with its Goulds Water Technology brand, is engaged in regular water well initiatives to provide secure water access to rural areas, striving to increase public awareness of the challenges surrounding lack of water access. For more information about the Chris Long Foundation’s HometownH2O projects, visit waterboys.org/hometown.
Fourteenth HometownH2O project furthers awareness of rural water access challenges The Dittman family of Parker, Pennsylvania, has received a new water well system yesterday that will provide dependable water access on their property, something the family has been living without. This installation was made possible through a collaborative effort between Xylem Inc., Water Well Trust Read more
Fourteenth HometownH2O project furthers awareness of rural water access challenges
The Dittman family of Parker, Pennsylvania, has received a new water well system yesterday that will provide dependable water access on their property, something the family has been living without. This installation was made possible through a collaborative effort between Xylem Inc., Water Well Trust (WWT) and Waterboys, a charity founded by former NFL player Chris Long. The donation covered all aspects of the project, including necessary equipment, drilling and installation, as well as completion of a home improvement project. Local partners Aquaflow Pump Supply and Flick Drilling played a crucial role in the installation, while The Vinyl Institute provided piping material.
The Dittman family of Parker, Pennsylvania.
Amanda and Samuel Dittman live with their two children in a farmhouse built by Amanda’s great-great-grandfather in 1903. The home, which has been passed down through generations, drew water from a natural spring on the property. Over the years, the family has experienced a continuous decline in their water supply. The spring does not consistently produce water, and provides no water during the dry season, leaving the family without access to a dependable water source. As a result, the Dittmans have relied on family and neighbors to help them haul water daily from town – a 40-minute round-trip drive – and add it to their holding tank. Despite implementing water conservation practices, the family continued to struggle with basic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, showering, doing laundry and tending to their garden.
“I am proud of the history of this house, but it does come with some challenges. There have been a lot of times we’ve thought about moving, even though it wouldn’t allow us to live how we want to,” said Water Well Trust beneficiary Amanda Dittman. “My neighbor always checks on us in the summer to ask if we need water or to use her laundry. It’s a relief to tell her that we finally have water, and she doesn’t have to worry about us anymore. It’s a huge weight off our shoulders.”
This donation marks the 14th collaborative project for Xylem, WWT and HometownH2O – a domestic water initiative dedicated to bringing clean, sustainable water to people and communities in need across the United States. Launched in early 2020, HometownH2O is a united effort between Long, his Foundation’s Waterboys initiative and Xylem to address water scarcity issues, which currently leave more than 2 million Americans without access to clean water. HometownH2O works alongside WWT, a national nonprofit that helps fund and supply water to low-income families.
“HometownH2O is working to tackle the water crisis here at home. Many people in the United States take safe drinking water for granted, but no matter your zip code, everyone deserves access to dependable water,” said Long, two time Super Bowl champion and founder of the Chris Long Foundation. “Our mission with each well installation we complete is to continue to spread awareness and through collaborative solutions, bring water access to those who need it most. Xylem and Water Well Trust are indispensable partners in this effort.”
“Our partnership with the Chris Long Foundation and the Water Well Trust through the HometownH2O program allows us to continue to address domestic water scarcity issues that impact countless families across the United States,” said Susan O’Grady, senior director of marketing, building services and agriculture, Xylem. “We are proud to be part of the solution to ensure that residents in rural communities, like Parker Pennsylvania, can enjoy the essential resource of clean, safe water.”
Xylem, in conjunction with its Goulds Water Technology brand, is engaged in regular water well initiatives to provide secure water access to rural areas, striving to increase public awareness of the challenges surrounding lack of water access. For more information about the HometownH2O project, visit waterboys.org/hometown.