plan 47Restore Water Systems for the Victims of Tungurahu

Summary

To facilitate access to safe water and sanitation services, environmental education and risk prevention to the families that inhabit the vulnerable areas around the Tungurahua volcano, in order to contribute to improve their life quality.

Background

The Tungurahua volcano started a new eruptive process on 1999. Since then, several events affected the population located around this volcano, mainly on 2001 and beginning of 2006.

This event directly damaged several towns of the Tungurahua and Chimborazo Provinces. On small villages located around this volcano, the effect was more harmful because of the partial or total destruction of houses and the productive substructure of this zone.

Additionally, damages to agriculture and cattle, main source of income of most families affected, had a very negative impact, due to hundreds of planted acres were lost and the pastures, that are the main source of food for the livestock of the zone, are contaminated with volcanic ash. The water supply system, used for the human consumption as well as for irrigation and animal consumption, is also contaminated.

Damages to people’s health are also critical. So far, the death of four people and hundred of injured, needing urgent medial attention, was reported. Additionally, the ash fall caused respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation and also gastro-intestinal diseases.

Several public and private organizations are helping in different action fields such us: water and sanitation, security, food, shelters management, agriculture and livestock assistant, road access rehabilitation, etc.

According to the technical-scientific organism in charge of monitoring this volcano (The Geophysical Institute of the Escuela Politécnica Nacional), the actual eruptive process can continue with similar events to those registered on August 17th 2006, and will be necessary to take measures to decrease the risks for the future of the population.Related to water and sanitation

In order to get a closer look to the real consequences of the volcanic eruption on human consumption water supply systems and the conditions of sanitation services on the region, several institutions like Central Red Cross, Chimborazo Red Cross, Tungurahua Red Cross, Red Cross International Federation, CARE Ecuador, Housing and Urban Development Ministry (MIDUVI), have sent professionals for evaluation visits.
The results of the evaluation process of 21 water systems of Tungurahua and Chimborazo, allowed us to identify the following aspects:

1. -Status and operation of human consumption water supply systems, facing the impact of Tungurahua eruption:
− People from towns visited, are receiving water service, in spite of water systems have exceeded the useful life period. The units are deteriorated and have limited operations.

− The water systems structure (filters, impounding and others) are vulnerable to ash contamination during eruption and after it, because of rain and wind effects.

− A high percentage of pipe damaging was identified.

Location

Tungurahua, Sierra, Ecuador

Focus

Primary Focus: Drinking Water - Community
Secondary Focus: Sanitation - Community

People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 1,200

persons from rural communities located in the surrounding areas of the Tungurahua volcano (Tungurahua and Chimborazo provinces)

School Children Getting Water:

People Getting Sanitation: 1,200

People Getting Other Benefits:

Start Date: 2006-10-01

Completion Date: 2007-03-30

Technology Used:

− Two refugee’s shelters sanitation infrastructure restored at Tungurahua and Chimborazo Provinces.

− To protect at least ten water systems form contamination of volcanic materials, by the construction of the necessary infrastructure.

− At least two communities will improve the access to safe water and sanitation services through the reconstruction of their water systems.

Phases:

• Start Date: Due to the emergency situation of the families located in the surrounding area of the Tungurahua volcano the project will launched in October 2006.

• Milestones (what are they and what are the dates):
− Technical studie

Community Organization:

− Built Capacities on water management in the communities water boards

− Raise awareness and achieve community empowerment of water sources preservation practices in 70% of the target population

Government Interaction:

Ancillary activities:

This project is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility policies and activities supported by the Ecuadorian Coca-Cola System. It’s important to mention that with this project Coca-Cola has established a close relationship with the local governments, strengthening our commitment with local initiatives and government authorities.

Other Issues:

− Those responsible for the managing and maintenance of the systems are completely identifiable.

− The communitarian organization, based on commitment and good will, have an important roll in carrying this emergency, in spite of not counting with all needed training elements.

− Is notorious that any Managing Board was prepared to face this emergency, because they do not count with basic material for corrective restoring in their warehouses.

− Weak training levels on members of the Managing Boards were identified, on aspects related to system operation, maintenance and managing.

− Most of the Water Managing Boards do not have budget for repairing and emergency actions on their accounts.
− The sanitary systems are also affected by the eruption; there are some sanitary units at
homes and schools that are deteriorated because of this emergency.

− Some emergency sanitary solutions were implemented at the shelters, but they are insufficient.

Maintenance Revenue:

Maintenance Cost:

Metrics:

Prior art before metrics

Cost: $199,800

The partners of this project are: CARE – Ecuador, Tungurahua and Chimborazo Municipalities and Local Communities.

CARE – Ecuador is responsible of the supervision of the project and the technical, social and environmental advisor.

The Municipality will contribute with some technical studies and social support as well. They will also supply part of the raw materials needed.

Co Funding Amount: $50,300

CARE Ecuador - US$ 50.300, 00

Community Contribution Amount: $50,000

Local Municipalities and Communities - US$ 50.000,00. The local communities will contribute with the raw materials and non qualified manpower for the reconstruction of the water systems. They will also be responsible of the water system management.

Fund Requested: $50,000

  • 1 participant | show more

    warning mechanisms

    Patricia Dandonoli of WaterAid

    WaterAid thanks you for your submission, and more importantly, your humanitarian efforts to bring aid in the form of water and sanitation to the victims of Tungurahua volcano. Our comment concerns the risks associated with future volcanic activity. Given that you mention the possibility of future eruptions, what, if any, risk prevention/...

    WaterAid thanks you for your submission, and more importantly, your humanitarian efforts to bring aid in the form of water and sanitation to the victims of Tungurahua volcano. Our comment concerns the risks associated with future volcanic activity. Given that you mention the possibility of future eruptions, what, if any, risk prevention/warning mechanisms systems will the project address or put into place?

  • 1 participant | show more

    ?

    Ned Breslin of Water for People

    I agree with some of the questions above. I think the issues of working in volcanic areas is an important question and I look forward to that answer. I am also unclear what the maintenance costs will be and how teh community will finance this over time. Thanks ned

    I agree with some of the questions above. I think the issues of working in volcanic areas is an important question and I look forward to that answer. I am also unclear what the maintenance costs will be and how teh community will finance this over time.

    Thanks

    ned

  • 2 participants | show more

    Budget considerations

    Rob Bell of El Porvenir

    Again, thanks for your work. In this proposal, I don't see a budget. Exactly what will this $50,000 cover? Also, the project cost is $199,800. This $50K plus $50,300 from CARE and $50K locally does not cover it. Is there another co-funder? Rob

    Again, thanks for your work.

    In this proposal, I don't see a budget. Exactly what will this $50,000 cover?

    Also, the project cost is $199,800. This $50K plus $50,300 from CARE and $50K locally does not cover it. Is there another co-funder?

    Rob

    • Rajesh Shah of Blue Planet Network

      Blue Planet Run's message for the 2007 run is $25 gives water to one person for life. While we know its not always true, we are trying to target this year's and next year's funding towards that goal. We can revise it in 2009 based on new facts. Even removing community contributions your project is $149,800 for 1,200 people. This comes to ...

      Blue Planet Run's message for the 2007 run is $25 gives water to one person for life. While we know its not always true, we are trying to target this year's and next year's funding towards that goal. We can revise it in 2009 based on new facts.

      Even removing community contributions your project is $149,800 for 1,200 people. This comes to $125. We want to remain flexible and allow for some separation of sanitation costs to see how close we can come to $25 for drinking water. But this may be too far, if the numbers are correct. If there is a correction (in reply to Rob's question) we will need to recalculate.

  • Rating: 1

    review by Blue Planet Network

    Difficult to rate and without answers to the questions hard to fund, not a fit for BPR/PWX

  • Rating: 5

    review by El Porvenir

    This project is difficult to rate, given the lack of information and answers to questions, but since the deadline is coming up... Maybe if the questions were answered, the rating would change.

  • Rating: 6

    review by Water for People

    A risky project, needs some more input on how to sustain over time in such a hard place

  • Rating: 5

    review by WaterAid

    Strength: Emergency assistance
    Weakness: Sustainability