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The community of El Porvenir is located in coastal Peru, north of Lima, in an area that does not have sources of surface water. In 2003/04 a gravity-fed, drinking water supply system was installed in the central area of El Porvenir. Due to the newly installed presence of potable water, as well as the location of the community being near the main highway, the population has rapidly grown. Several sections of the now expanded community of Porvenir do not have access to potable water and must manually collect and transport water from other regions of the community. This applies to a total of 766 individuals from 256 families. The lack of these services represents one of the main causes of diarrheal and parasitic infections, which affect mainly the younger population of boys and girls.
The original water system is still functioning optimally under the management of the local water committee of El Porvenir, which was given an award of excellence by the government body SUNASS for the excellent maintenance record of their water system. They have approached the local Rotary Club for assistance in the expansion of the existing water project so as to bring potable water to the additional 256 families. The plan is to expand the water catchment structure that currently serves the community of El Porvenir. The resulting surplus water will be channelled to a new cistern to be built alongside the existing reservoir. From this cistern, the water will be pumped by solar power to a 75 cubic metre reservoir that will be build on the hillside. From here, the purified water will be distributed by gravity-feed to the homes.
The presence of a trained and well-functioning water committee will ensure that this project will function sustainably for many years. All the new families receiving potable water will be trained in the areas of personal hygiene and cleanliness, especially as it relates to the use of the provided clean water.
This project is being initiated by the Castlegar Rotary Club who will work with the Host club (Huacho Rotary Club), and the Cooperating Organization (Alas de Esperanza), which has extensive experience in the region developing water projects.
Timeline for project
Pre-Construction Activities: Community presentation of scope and time-line of project. Registration of the beneficiaries of the water project. Specific WASH training sessions geared specifically to women. General WASH training sessions geared to whole community. Training session for Water Committee members on roles and responsibilities 1 month
Pre-construction Activities: Engineers from the Cooperating Organization will finalize plans for the location of the underground pipes and the distribution system. Training sessions for Water Committee to finalize Statutes and Regulations, Annual Operating Plan, and Family Fee structure. Community meeting to approve the Statues and Regulations, Annual Operating Plan and Family Fee structure 2 weeks
Construction Activities: Construction of additional water catchment. Community members will begin the process of digging the trenches needed for the piping system. Training sessions on water and environment. Household visits by Social Worker to reinforce WASH messages and ensure commitment of individual families to WASH principles 2 months
Concurrent with the digging of trenches, construction of an additional cistern and the elevated reservoir will be completed. Installation of solar panel and support structure and solar-powered water pump will be completed. Community training sessions continue on Health Education. 1-2 months
Connection of the piping to the chlorination system before distribution to the households will be finalized 2 weeks
Post-Construction Activities: Workshop training on the operation and maintenance of water system to members of the Water Committee and Operators. Household visits by Social Worker to verify the results of the changes in behavior around hygiene and sanitation and the effects of using purified water. 6 months
Use of Project Funds
US$$ Total: $128,587.58
Supplies: Water pipes/water tanks $85,318.75
Personnel: Engineer/laborers, subcontractors $29,727.84
Project management: Engineering//Planning/Supervision $4,266.67
Training: WASH training of community $1,600.00
Travel: Engineer/Social Worker $1,493.33
Equipment: Tools/Solar Panel $3,320.99
Operations: Transport of materials $2,133.33
Signage: Rotary Signage: $460.00
Monitoring/evaluation Huacho Club Visits: $266.67
Involvement of Club members
Host club members will be responsible for multiple visits to the community to monitor and evaluate the progress of the water project. In addition, where feasible, they will help to deliver and reinforce WASH training in the community.
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