Can you imagine not having access to clean drinking water? Having access to clean water is a basic need, but many don’t have it. In Kapanga, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there’s a water project trying to fix this for about 100,000 people. The project’s success depends on water infrastructure and electrical protection because the area is prone to lightning.
A Catholic Mission set up a small hydroelectric plant for Kapanga, bringing power to the area for the first time. With power available, the Kapanga Water Works team put in a deep-well water pump, making a reliable source of clean water for people.
However, the place gets a lot of lightning. Lightning strikes damaged the pump controllers a couple of times before they installed EMP Shield, which stopped the system and put access to clean water in danger. Without good protection, the project’s long-term reliability was not assured, even with power and infrastructure.
The Kapanga Water Works shared the following with EMP Shield and described this issue themselves. Here is the message, exactly as it was sent:
Everyone at Empshield,
Thanks for your support of the water project in Congo (DRC). Several years ago, the Catholic Mission came online with a small hydroelectric plant for Kapanga. This was the first time electricity had been available to the 100,000-person community. This power made it possible for our team to install a deep-well water pump. Unfortunately, there had been no consideration of the extreme lightening events in the area. Twice we lost controllers to strikes. This is where Mr. Bowman stepped in. He recommended your product. This was just what was needed to keep the pumps running. Your latest donation is very important for our project. Water is life and your product keeps the clean drinking water flowing.
Thanks again for your support.
John E. Schwarting, Project Manager
Kapanga Water Works
During a recent conversation with Mr. Schwarting he applauds EMP Shield! He says that it has over the years protected the critical equipment many times over! He supplied a picture of a recent 3-phase EMP Shield that took a lightning strike. The EMP Shield sacrificed itself in place of the equipment.
Kapanga Water Works shows us that electrical protection is not just about equipment. It’s about people. It’s about families who need safe drinking water, children who get healthier when water is clean, and a community that thrives when basic needs are met. Good power protection enables clean water, improves health, and supports long-term stability.
EMP Shield is pleased to support such efforts, where tech directly helps sustain life. Protecting power means protecting what matters most. In Kapanga, this protection helps ensure that water keeps running.
