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
Waterboys initiative
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Since 2008, the Richards family has faced severe water shortages due to a low water supply in their well and an outdated casing.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.
Hometown H2O donation advances commitment to awareness of rural water crisis A family of six in Terre Haute, Indiana, yesterday received a new water well system that will restore their access to clean, safe, drinking water. In collaboration with Xylem Inc. and Water Well Trust (WWT), Chris Long, NFL retiree and founder of Waterboys, donated Read more
Hometown H2O donation advances commitment to awareness of rural water crisis
A family of six in Terre Haute, Indiana, yesterday received a new water well system that will restore their access to clean, safe, drinking water. In collaboration with Xylem Inc. and Water Well Trust (WWT), Chris Long, NFL retiree and founder of Waterboys, donated a new water well to the Goff family. The donation included all necessary equipment, drilling and installation, as well as a yard cleanup and expansion, thanks to support from local distributor Bradford Supply and Mumma Brothers Drilling Inc. Piping material from The Vinyl Institute and bottles of water from Talking Rain Beverage Company were also included in the donation.
The Goff family has been without clean water access on their property following a well collapse in September 2022. Since then, the Goffs have resorted to obtaining water from a neighbor’s well situated half a mile away and then transported on a riding lawnmower. Once back at their residence, the water is deposited into 250–gallon holding tanks, taking 20 minutes to fill completely for use.
“Our neighbor has been kind enough to allow us to use his trailer to transport clean water back to our home from his property while we tried to find a solution,” said Kyle Goff, Water Well Trust beneficiary. “Water is life. Without it, you really cannot live. It’s great to see that people who aren’t even a part of our community would come out to help others in need. This is a huge blessing.”
This donation marks the 13th collaborative project for Xylem, WWT and Hometown H2O – a domestic water initiative dedicated to bringing clean, sustainable water to people and communities in need across the United States.
“The reality is that many American families – especially in rural areas – are forced to source their water from unsanitary means for everyday use and that should not be happening,” said Long, two–time Super Bowl champion and founder of the Chris Long Foundation. “Our mission with Hometown H2O is to address the issue of water scarcity that plagues many families across America. With the support of Xylem and Water Well Trust, we are committed to providing access to clean and sustainable water to those who need it the most.”
Launched in early 2020, Hometown H2O is a united effort between Long, his foundation’s Waterboys initiative and Xylem to address domestic water scarcity issues, which currently leave more than 2 million Americans without access to clean water. Hometown H2O works alongside WWT, a national nonprofit that helps fund and supply water to low–income families.
“Given the significant number of people in the United States without access to this vital resource, the water sector has an opportunity and a responsibility to provide assistance and solutions,” said Susan O’Grady, senior director of marketing, Building Services and Agriculture, Xylem. “By combining the unique capabilities of Water Well Trust, our Watermark program and our industry knowledge with the Waterboys’ base of dedicated volunteers and partners, we are bringing water to communities that need it, and public awareness of this critical national issue.”
Xylem, in conjunction with its Goulds Water Technology brand, is engaged in continual water well initiatives to provide secure water access to rural areas, striving to increase public awareness of the challenges surrounding lack of domestic water access. For more information about the Hometown H2O project, visit waterboys.org/hometown.