Brandi Bentley-Brown of Rimrock recently received a new water well system that will provide dependable water access, something the household has been living without for six years. Made possible through a collaborative effort between Xylem, the Water Well Trust and Waterboys, a charity initiative founded by retired NFL player Chris Long, this installation and a subsequent donation covered all aspects of the project, including necessary equipment, well drilling and installation, as well as completion of home improvement projects.
Local partners Karam Brothers and Northern Arizona Pump played a crucial role in the installation, while The Vinyl Institute provided PVC piping material.
“What drives me to do this work is knowing that I can help people solve their water problems,” said Nathan White of Northern Arizona Pump. “In Brandi’s case, her family had been without reliable water for six years, which is unimaginable. When Goulds Water Technology reached out and brought us in, we were more than happy to help. We’ve been drilling in this area for over 50 years, so it’s great to be able to give back to the community in this way. For us, being able to restore access to clean, dependable water is more rewarding than anything else.”
Bentley-Brown has lived on her Rimrock property since 2017 with her husband, Tai, and her son, Drake. Since the shared well serving their home and five other households went dry in 2018, Bentley-Brown and her family have had to haul water daily, adding to their challenges without a reliable water source. Despite managing mast cell activation syndrome, BentleyBrown has been working extra shifts to help make ends meet. Along with addressing her own health, she cares for her mother, who is battling terminal cancer, and assists in raising her three nephews, whom she plans to welcome into her home in the future. Additionally, her son is undergoing medical treatment, which adds to the strain of the family’s expenses.
“This well is truly life-changing for us,” Bentley-Brown stated. “We’ve spent so much time and effort just trying to get by without reliable water — hauling jugs, borrowing trailers and depending on friends to shower or do laundry. It’s been exhausting, but it also made me realize how fortunate we are to have that support. This well means so much more than water — it’s stability, relief and a huge weight lifted off our shoulders.”
“Partnering with Xylem and the Water Well Trust to bring clean water to families like Brandi’s is what HometownH2O is all about,” Long said. “This project marks our 20th milestone together, and we’re proud to continue making a difference for families who’ve gone too long without reliable water access.”
This donation marks the 20th 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 Waterboys initiative and Xylem to address water scarcity issues, which currently leave more than 2.2 million Americans without access to clean water. HometownH2O works alongside WWT, a national nonprofit that helps fund and supply water to low-income families.
“We’re honored to support Brandi and her family with a reliable source of clean water through our HometownH2O initiative,” said Susan O’Grady of Xylem. “Access to water is essential, yet too many families in rural areas still face significant challenges. With our partners, we’re not only helping to solve immediate water access issues, but also raising awareness about the ongoing water crisis in communities across the country.”
For more information about the HometownH2O project, visit waterboys.org/hometown.
