Water Distribution | Porvenir, El Salvador

Description of Project:
The potable water supply in Porvenir comes from spring boxes, a shallow well, and rainwater harvesting. This system has inadequate dry season flows, requires community members to walk long distances to collect water, and is vulnerable to bacterial contamination. EWB-Tufts, in partnership with a local NGO and the Porvenir Association for Community Development, is proposing improvements to the existing components and developing designs for additional components that will increase the capacity, convenience and safety of the potable water system.

Progress:
In January 2009, EWB-Tufts was introduced to the community by the NGO Epilogos Charities to answer a need for improved potable water infrastructure. The initial assessment included a characterization of the existing water sources, a preliminary health survey, and a topographic survey. During weekly meetings at Tufts, members of the El Salvador EWB group presented research to each other about the merits of different proposals for system improvements. It was decided that a professionally-drilled well would be the best option for providing clean water throughout the year.

In July 2009, EWB-Tufts visited Porvenir again and continued the assessment. We met with civil engineer from a Salvadoran well-drilling company to discuss the feasibility and costs associated with drilling a well. We received advice on the proper organization of a community to develop a water system by ACUA, a Salvadoran water development NGO. EWB-Tufts performed research on the property rights of the residents of Porvenir and learned about “Green Zones” where public water supplies can be placed. Through the example of a nearby community with a failed well that was recently installed by an American organization, we learned of the consequences of inadequate support for local water system operators.

Spring 2010:
In March 2010, another Tufts team traveled to Porvenir to assess viable options for improving water quality and quantity, to complete health surveys, and to further develop a relationship with and an understanding of the community. During this trip, water from each drinking source (two spring-boxes and a well), as well as from some household storage containers, were tested for contamination. Additionally, the team gathered information of Porvenir’s past experience with water distribution and assessed for the technical and geographic viability of future water distribution and filtration options. Some viable options seem to be a piping system from an existing water source to a central location and the creation of a new spring box along the river bank.

The team also formed relationships with a large landowner of Porvenir, who is hoping to work with Tufts EWB to increase living standards in the community, and the owner of a local hardware store, who helped us to understand which construction materials were available locally. He also pledged to work with us in the future should we need construction advice. Also, surveys were completed at each household in order to gather information of community members’ health, access to healthcare, water use, sanitary habits, and economic status. Additionally, community meetings were held to discuss the priorities of Porvenir and their expectations of a relationship with Tufts. They communicated to the team that they would be grateful for and willing to work on any project that is decided upon, and that they were excited for future work. The travel team left El Salvador with the resources, contacts, and information that would help in determining the path of the project. Since, the entire group has decided upon short-, mid-, and long-term goals for our project, and is excited to continue on.

Trip Reports:
For more detailed information about each of our trips, including health survey results, water quality results, and construction diagrams and calculations, please feel free to download any of our trip reports:
January 2009 .pdf
July 2009 .pdf

Contacts:
If you have any questions about our project please feel free to contact:
Amanda Garces
Jenna Lohmann