Source Logo
Press

‘Water from the heavens’: South Carolina pastor’s crusade for clean drinking water

‘Water from the heavens’: South Carolina pastor’s crusade for clean drinking water

For decades, many of the residents of Florence, South Carolina, have been forced to boil their water in order to simply drink it.

March 23, 2021, 11:03 AM MST / Updated March 23, 2021, 11:14 AM MST
By Curtis Bunn
In the 20 years since she moved to Florence, South Carolina, Carolyn McMillan said she has shunned consuming water from her faucet at home.

She uses bottled water for drinking or cooking.

“No other choice,” McMillan, who is Black, said. Water from the faucet “doesn’t taste right. I tried it a long time ago. Once. That was enough. Sometimes it’s cloudy. It’s stinky, smelly. I have boiled water to cook. It’s a mess.”

McMillan, from Brooklyn, New York, says she has managed her water like this for so long that it has become routine, like saying her prayers before bed.

“It’s frustrating,” she added. “And I know it’s been making people around here sick. It’s a problem for a lot of us.”

The dearth of clean water in much of Florence, which is 47 percent Black, located about an hour northwest of the coastal resort town of Myrtle Beach, illustrates a national environmental crisis in America, especially for Black people in low-income rural communities.

Leo Woodberry, pastor of the Kingdom Living Temple in Florence, is unwilling to wait any longer on government assistance and has launched a crusade to make clean water in his community — out of thin air.

Take control of your water source

We’ve built custom solutions for water needs in more than 50 countries. Let’s solve yours.

Hydropanel Production Tool

Hydropanel water production tool

For an accurate per Hydropanel production value in your area, please enter your zip code below.

Zip Code Search

Hidden

Hydropanel General Installation Requirements:

  • Roof mounted hydropanels must be at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from the edge of any structure.
  •  
  • Adequate structural integrity of the roof is required. Do not install on a roof that is damaged or otherwise insufficient to hold the weight and wind loads of the hydropanel.
  •  
  • Consider whether there is space for a crane to set up and lift the hydropanels to their mounting location.
  • Ground locations should be firm, level, and evenly composed. The hydropanel can be placed on blocks, concrete, or mounted to lumber to provide a stable base to sit on.
  •  
  • Consider factors like soil composition, and how to manage erosion or plant growth over time.
  •  
  • Avoid installing the hydropanel where they may be wetted from irrigation sprinklers.
  •  
  • Ensure the hydropanel is raised above the specified flood plain.
  •  
  • Hydropanel should be anchored to the ground or sufficiently ballasted to prevent movement or damage from high winds.

Hydropanel General Installation Requirements:

  • Sunny mounting location – The SOURCE Hydropanel works best in full sun. Unobstructed sunlight required at least 5 hours per day. Avoid placing under shading objects such as trees, buildings, etc.
  • 4 x 6 foot (1.2 x 1.8 meters) mounting area per Hydropanel.
  • Minimum clearance of 1ft (30cm) in front of and behind the panels to allow access for service.
  • Minimum 3 inches (8 cm) between hydropanels from side to side within an array.
  • SOURCE Hydropanels must be installed at least 15 feet (5 meters) away from windows and should be positioned considering hydropanel sound with respect to living spaces.
  • SOURCE Hydropanels must be level from side-to-side with a maximum deviation of 20mm.
  • Hydropanel must be South Facing (180°) for locations in the Northern Hemisphere, or North facing (0°) for locations in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • The installation surface must be level. For example, a flat roof, or level ground.

Roof Mount Requirements:

  • Roof mounted hydropanels must be at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from the edge of any structure.
  • Adequate structural integrity of the roof is required. Do not install on a roof that is damaged or otherwise insufficient to hold the weight and wind loads of the hydropanel.
  • Consider whether there is space for a crane to set up and lift the hydropanels to their mounting location.

Ground Mount Requirements:

  • Ground locations should be firm, level, and evenly composed. The hydropanel can be placed on blocks, concrete, or mounted to lumber to provide a stable base to sit on.
  • Consider factors like soil composition, and how to manage erosion or plant growth over time.
  • Avoid installing the hydropanel where they may be wetted from irrigation sprinklers.
  • Ensure the hydropanel is raised above the specified flood plain.
  • Hydropanel should be anchored to the ground or sufficiently ballasted to prevent movement or damage from high winds.

Hydropanel Calculator

The amount of water you consume will determine how many panels you’ll need and the size of tanks we recommend. Use our calculator below for our panel and tank recommendation.

Each panel produces on average 180 bottles per month (16.9 oz bottles). For a more accurate estimation based on your location use this tool.

Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden