Many small and poor communities in Ecuador with populations between 400 and 1800 people do not have access to potable water for its inhabitants. Due mainly to the size of the communities, they become technically and economically difficult to be taken care of by the government or by local municipalities. Another costly factor is the distribution of water in the community.
In the best of cases, they have access only to piped water that comes usually from polluted rivers or ditches, affecting the health of the people and particularly of children.
This project seeks to provide small water potabilization plants to poor communities that presently use only contaminated tubed water.
This project is a repetition of four Global Grants carried out since 2016 and through which potable water has been provided to 30 small communities, benefiting around 15000 persons. Three of these grants have been headed by the Rotary Club of Quito providing 20 plants.
The size of the project as to the number of communities is variable since it will depend on the funding obtained. However, as an example, the information being given covers the supply of potable plants for 7 communities.
Also, plants sizes will vary with the population of each community. Again, as an example, the information is given for 5 communities of around 800 people each which will use 60 GPM plants and 2 communities of around 400 people which will use 30 GPM plants. Each plant is calculated to provide 100 liters/day - person, enough for drinking, food cooking, bathing, WC, dish and cookware washing.
Thus, this project example will benefit 3600 people.
The sustainability of the project is assured through small monthly payments of around USD 1.5 to USD 3 by the families for the use of potable water. This amount will be used to purchase chlorine and to cover repairs and maintenance costs.
Additionally, trainings on safe water education will be given to each community.
After delivery of plants, a follow up plan will be carried out in each beneficiary community in order to assure that plants are kept in satisfactory conditions and that chlorine is being purchased and added to the raw water.
Each plant for a particular community will be handled through a partnership with a local Rotary club. The project will be headed by the Rotary Club of Quito.
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