Philippines : Water for Life
The Challenge
The village of Apatut in the Philippines, and the surrounding area, is in need of a new potable water supply. Most residents currently obtain water directly from shallow wells within the village. This water is a significant contributing factor to the prevalence of scabies, dysentery, goiters, urinary tract infections, and other related diseases typically associated with poor drinking water. To protect themselves, residents must boil the local water before drinking it or buy bottled water. Households with babies and small children are at particularly high risk for disease.
The Solution
EWB-MAP has partnered with the local Filipino Rotary Club to combat the health problem by developing a sustainable solution. EWB-MAP will design and assist in the construction of a new water supply for the small community. The water source is a natural spring in the hills 200-300 feet above and approximately one mile away from the village. The envisioned design will include:
- A tap or well at the water source
- A reservoir for buffer capacity
- 1 mile of pipeline to the community
- Water treatment as necessary
- Pumps and power source(s) (wind, solar, diesel)
- Distribution piping to the school first, then to the rest of the community
Project Process/Timeline
Research Phase: Currently in Progress – During this phase, the team is conducting extensive research into the local community and water source to gather data needed for successful project implementation. Formal project proposal documents will be submitted to EWB-USA technical advisory board for review. Preliminary Onsite Assessment: Spring 2010 – During this phase, several of the team members will travel to the Philippines to:
- Confirm and collect mapping and flow data.
- Locate local suppliers for necessary building materials.
- Establish a strong working relationship with the community and coordinate project logistics.
- Complete a baseline community health assessment.
- Test the source water quality.
Final Design/Planning: Summer 2010 – During this phase, the team will finalize the design and complete preparations for project implementation, continue and complete the needed fundraising, and prepare instructions and training materials to ensure project sustainability.
Project Implementation: Fall 2010 – The Project Implementation Team will travel to the Philippines to direct and assist in the construction and implementation of the water system.
Project Monitoring: 2010 to 2013 (as needed) – An important part of any EWB project is to ensure the sustainability of the projects effects within the community. The team will continue communication with Apatut to ensure that the community is able to maintain, repair and expand the water system on their own.
Project Budget
At this time, EWP-MAP has established a funding need of $55,000 to help the village of Apatut gain a sustainable and clean water supply and a healthier community. Please consider being a part of the solution by donating to assist in this cause. Funds raised will go towards travel and lodging costs, data collection supplies, and project construction materials, among other project needs.
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El Salvador Project
A pre-assessment of the current water supply system was conducted July 2009 revealing several concerns with the water supply system. The major concern is inequitable distribution of water to members of the community – while homes close to the water storage tanks receive water almost every day, other homes receive water only once per week. Other concerns include corrosion of pipes, failure of pipes, and ineffective chlorine disinfection. EWB-MAP will be conducting an assessment trip in the near future to gather additional data.
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Rwanda Health and Healing Project
EWB-MAP has partnered with Barefoot Artists, Inc. and Thomas Jefferson University to help the Rwanda Health and Healing Project in an effort to improve the health of those living in Rwanda. By completing this project, EWB-MAP will be able to improve the sanitation conditions and access to clean water for drinking, bathing, cleaning and cooking for over 100 families.
The village of Rugerero was built in 1997-98 to help the survivors of the 1994 genocide. With the exception of ten housing units, each housing unit is constructed from mud, plaster and corrugated roofing and the interior features a cooking area, bedroom, living room, living room and toilet. Squat toilets drain through plastic piping into cement septic tanks in the back of each unit. Water is required to flush waste material through the piping and into the septic tanks. Previous health assessments identified several problems including high incidence of broken plastic piping and collapsed septic tanks, both of which expose community members directly to waste material and increase the risk for fecal-oral disease transmission.
Future Work
Upon completion of the latrine construction, there are a number of projects being considered for the team’s continued support in Rwanda. Of first priority are water supply/sanitation improvements to the regional Health Clinic. This project will cost about $5,500 for construction. A travel team will go to Rwanda in early February for the implementation of the clinic latrine and assessment of either the Twa village or Akarambi. For the February trip, $17,000 dollars will need to be raised to cover the cost of the latrine and travel costs.
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