OREANDA-NEWS. June 09, 2016. Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and the China Environmental Protection Foundation (CEPF) today announced a new program to provide safe drinking water to rural schools in Western and Central China as part of CEPF’s Streams Action, an nationwide initiative that started last year.

The program, sponsored by Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company's corporate citizenship initiative, will enable children and teachers to easily get clean hot and cold water for consumption and hygiene. 

Honeywell will provide a “Honeywell Safe Drinking Room” to five Chinese rural schools this year. With about 200 students per school, the program will benefit 1,000 students. In 2016, the project will identify the five schools in Northwest China’s Yinchuan, West China’s Sichuan and Shaanxi, and Central China’s Hubei and Hunan provinces.  

“Access to clean and safe water is a challenge for rural schools due to water shortages or pollution and contamination in rivers and water sources,” said Xu Guang, secretary-general at CEPF, the only national non-governmental organization (NGO) under the supervision of China’s Ministry of Environment Protection to champion environmental protection issues. 

“There are approximately 114,000 schools – affecting more than 35 million students and teachers – that lack clean drinking water across the country, according to China’s environment authorities,” Xu Guang continued. “With the number of schools in need of clean water still on the rise, especially in rural areas, Honeywell’s contribution will make a tangible difference for the children and their teachers.” 

“Honeywell is in a good position to make a significant contribution to clean water, and is highly committed to doing so,” said Stephen Shang, President and CEO of Honeywell China. “We look forward to our partnership with CEPF and working with its nationwide and grass root networks. 

“Last year, we invested in the first water lab in China for water treatment and monitoring at our R&D center in Shanghai. Honeywell’s aim is to contribute our corporate citizenship efforts and East-for-East technologies to help China address the water pollution challenge for years to come,” Shang said.

In addition to sponsoring equipment at the schools, Honeywell China will also send its water experts, including those in Honeywell’s global network, and volunteers to support this project. Activities include testing and monitoring the schools’ drinking water to ensure it is of high and safe quality. With guidance from CEPF, Honeywell China also plans to better address clean water issues and provide educational programs at the five schools and local communities.

About China Environmental Protection Foundation (CEPF) 

China Environmental Protection Foundation (CEPF) is the only national non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to environment protection that is directly under supervision of China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection. Over the past two decades, CEPF has been carrying out various environmental protection projects across the country. For more information, please visit www.cepf.org.cn 

About Honeywell 

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom

About Honeywell Hometown Solutions 

Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, focuses on five areas of vital importance: Science & Math Education, Family Safety & Security, Housing & Shelter, Habitat & Conservation, and Humanitarian Relief. Together with leading public and non-profit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, please visit http://citizenship.honeywell.com/hometown-solutions/