Engineers Without Borders USA

Atlanta Professional Chapter
EWB-Atlanta     Who We Are     Projects     Get Involved     Donate     News and Events Archive     Sustainability     Thank You To...      
Jamaica Road Rehab.     Haiti Water Supply     FilterPure      

Community Water Supply

Los Palis, Haiti 

 

Project Cost

$60,000

 

Funds Needed

$28,000

 

The village of Los Palis, a community established over 60 years ago, is located in a very rural part of central Haiti.  Its residents are hard-working and resourceful, but lack some of the basic necessities of life, such as a clean and consistent source of drinking water. This one resource that most of us take for granted has taken its toll on the health, education, and overall quality of life for Los Palis residents.  HERO (Health and Education Relief Organization), a NGO based out of Georgia has been active in Haiti for many years, and has been instrumental in improving the quality of life of those in the region through the construction of schools and clinics.  By partnering with HERO, EWB-Atlanta is able and determined to engineer a sustainable, reliable, and safe water supply for the people of Los Palis.

 

The Need 

Los Palis, Haiti, a rural community of approximately 3,000 residents, is in great need of a consistent and steady supply of safe drinking water.  During the dry season (November to May), the people of Los Palis are forced to walk up to 20 miles to the nearest river to collect water.  The river is contaminated with animal waste, and is used for bathing and washing clothes.   The result is that the rampant spread of water-borne disease is adversely impacting the health of the community, and prevents many children from attending school, or worse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The EWB-Atlanta Response

Assessment 

EWB-Atlanta coordinated with HERO and the community of Los Palis, to complete an on-site water quality and quantity assessment in September 2008.  It was discovered that there are currently 2 hand-pumped water wells in the village.  Field-testing of the well water revealed that both wells are contaminated with coliform, essentially rendering them non-potable. 

Additionally, there is a spring-fed cistern that feeds water to 8 public fountains throughout the community.  The problem is that neither the wells nor the cistern have the capacity to supply the entire community with safe water, especially during the dry season.  Additionally, the system is 25 years old and in dire need of repair.  Only 4 of the community fountains are functional, and the water supply piping is cracked and leaking in many locations. 

 

Solution

A model of the expansion has been completed.  The expansion includes the installation of a water well in the school yard for increased water production and so that more children may attend school.  The well will utilize solar-powered pump(s) to pump water to the existing cistern, which will then gravity feed the water to the fountains.  Existing pipes will be repaired.  Well water may need to be filtered prior to basic disinfection.  Various filtering and disinfection methods will be researched before the most appropriate and practical solution is chosen for implementation.  

 

Moving Forward  

In August of 2009, a followup assessment trip was completed.  The purpose of the trip was to verify the production rate of the newly installed well, take water quality samples, and survey the existing and proposed system layout.  A memorandum of understanding was also proposed to the community.  Finally, EWB-Atlanta met with USAID in order to discuss partnerships and appropriate community education standards.  Community members are eager and willing to provide the necessary construction labor.

Due to the recent quake, travel to Haiti is currently on hold.  We hope that enough stability will return to the area to allow for travel sometime this year.  Our next visit will mark the beginning of construction of the water system.  In the meantime, we are focusing on fundraising efforts and continuing community partnerships.  Please check back for updates.   

Project Info

 

Interested in participating or learning more about this project?  Please contact our Project Manager, Joe Volpe.  You can also take a look at the most recent Assessment Report.

 

Water Distribution System Design

 

The preliminary design concept was modeled utilizing WaterCAD® design software.  The software has allowed EWB-Atlanta engineers to accurately size the most efficient solar pump and distribution piping system while simultaneously lowering the subsequent cost of materials and equipment.  It is anticipated that the final design concept will very much resemble the following schematic.

 

Construction will require more labor from the community, but will instill ownership and a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

 

Existing and Proposed Water System Survey

 

The existing system and proposed pipe routing was surveyed during the August 2009 assessment trip.   

 

 

Community Partnership

 

A Memorandum of Understanding is currently being negotiated with the community.  Community leaders have agreed to raise $100-$200 a year from the community to provide continuous funding for future operation and maintenance.  The Los Palis twinning parish, St. Pius Church of Conyers, GA, has agreed to match this amount 100%.   This will help to solidify a partnership, foster self-reliance, and insure that the system expansion will be sustainable.