Report: Safe water system at Hamlets Cam Trang, Cam Noi

Phong Hoa is a mountain commune located in the northern part of Quang Binh Province, half way between the cities of Da Nang and Ha Noi. There are seven hamlets in the community, with 1,282 households and 5,731 residents.

The commune is very poor and 90% of the residents subsist on farming and raising livestock. 61% of the residents live below the GOV poverty line, i.e., earning a monthly per capita income of USD 12 or less.

Water for daily use is commonly taken from the Gianh River, or from open dug wells for the households located at the foot of the mountain or nearby the irrigation canal or the rice fields. The river water has high levels of sediments and red mud particles, and the well water is very hard due to the lime rich mountain range. The wells further often smell bad, and generally run dry from March to September.

For those who can afford it, fresh drinking water is available for purchase in local grocery stores or markets for about 60 cents per 20 liters. The poorer residents however, are limited to using the polluted ground or river water for their daily activities. There is a critical need for access to clean water for the residents in this area.

Few families in Cam Trang, Cam Noi and Cam Ngoai hamlets have improved sanitary latrines, and hand washing with soap is not regularly done as often as it should be. Water-borne diseases are a problem for the residents, many of whom suffer from related skin, eye, and digestive illnesses.

Water for the clean water system will likely be taken from the Gianh River, which is located 1,000m from the residential areas.
¥ Assessment of local residentsÕ need for safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene in the project area.
¥ Assessment of the beneficiariesÕ willingness and ability to pay for both initial investments cost for house connections (about US$12-18 per household) and monthly consumption-based water tariffs, and contribution of labor to the construction as digging and backfilling pipeline trenches.
¥ Identification of the highest capacity, best quality and most reliable supply of clean water in the area (in this case, a river will serve as water source).
¥ Water quality testing of proposed sources, and certification of the selected source as fit for drinking before commencement of design and construction.
¥ Holding consultation meetings with potential beneficiary groups and the local authorities in order to allow everyone to voice their concerns and opinions about the proposed project, as well as to share local knowledge and experience about hygiene and clean water usage.
¥ The following standard activities will be carried out: Design and construction of the water tower, a river water intake, two pumps, piping, electrical and control systems, a water treatment system (depending upon the water quality test results), and water transmission and distribution system about 20,061 m in length. A water production meter will be installed on the outlet to the main distribution line to help monitor production and downstream water losses.
¥ Providing training to Water Managers and Project Management Board on technical and management skills to make sure the proper maintenance will be provided to the system when EMW phase out.
¥ Carry out a hygiene and sanitation behavioral change program, in order to maximize the community health benefits of the new water system.

Four schools are also benefiting from the project.