: Clean Water in Andoung Snay and Andoung Chrey villages

Applicant East Meets West Foundation Plan ID: 344
Status: approved_accepted Review Cycle end date: 2011-09-21

Discussion Forum

clarification

By Pure Water for the World Posted on Fri 15 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Concept of Proposal

By Humana People to People India Posted on Mon 18 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Dear Friend,
The idea of the project proposal is very good and proposal itself describe all its parameters.
wish you all the best
Kusum

Technology

By Humana People to People India Posted on Mon 18 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Dear Sir,

This proposal has covered all the components.

Could you pl. explain about the methods involved and will it remove bacteria, chemicals and other parameters, etc.

Thanks,

Dhanam

Rainwater harvesting and another Cambodian org

By Peer Water Exchange Posted on Mon 08 Aug 2011, over 12 years ago

What is the rainfall pattern in Cambodia?

I was referred to this website of an organization working in Cambodia on RWH, ceramic water filters, and rope pumps: RDI Cambodia. They create spherical RWH systems, which is quite innovative, at very low costs.

Something to consider,
Rajesh

Selection of the villages

By Aqua Clara International Posted on Thu 21 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Hi,
Very interesting reading your proposal and the comments and questions so far. I am curious as to how the two villages that will benefit from this project were selected? Also, what is the long term plan for monitoring the water treatment system especially in terms of the level of chlorine added to the water before distribution.
Thanks and good luck!
Claire

Selection of the villages

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Mon 25 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Hi Claire,

The Water Management Committee (WMC) including the water managers are involved in every step of the project, from initial testing, to the construction and are responsible for ongoing monitoring of the system.

During the initial set-up of the system, the water managers learn how to add the correct amounts of chlorine to the system and continue this as part of their job responsibilities.

Throughout the first year EMW conducts at least 4 monitoring visits to each site and also has the water managers fill out periodical evaluations in order to track the success of the water system. After the first year, water managers are required to test their water every six months to ensure the water quality remains high.

Best,

Numbers and Oversight

By Blue Planet Network Posted on Sun 24 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

I am glad to see the expansion of the EMW process in Cambodia. Are you getting the meters of the same quality locally or importing them?

Can you provided a more detailed budget with the prices in local currency in excel (what's with all the US organizations supplying pdf while all others put excel docs)?
Please explain what is the "Research" and "Labour Fee for completion" costs.

Where is the G&A component? How much allocated to US office and to the Vietnam office? Putting it in every line item is an interesting way to allocate but at least the amount should be specified.
Are any of the project staff shared between the 4 Cambodia projects?

I see Danica is acting as the liason between EMW staff (e.g. Narin, who has his own login) and PWX. Any plans to encourage the local Cambodian team to use PWX to report on activities and show progress?

The monitoring plan is that the villagers report weekly or monthly. How does that happen? What data is captured? How do you maintain the logs? Have you done it for the earlier project(s)?

Thanks,
Rajesh

Numbers and Oversight

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Mon 25 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Hi Rajesh,

We were planning on having the Cambodia staff use the PWX system, but with the tight timeline and technical issues I have been acting as a liaison. We are certainly planning to have the Cambodian staff complete all of the progress reports and updates during the implementation and post-implementation stages.

Regarding the monitoring. EMW conducts at least 4 site visits during the first year, calls regularly, as well as collects periodical written evaluations from the water managers which contain the water usage logs, maintenance logs, as well as any issues with the system. In between these regular evaluations, the water managers are always able to call EMW if there are any issues.

Best Wishes,
Danica

Numbers and Oversight

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Wed 27 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Rajesh,

I am working with the Vietnam and Cambodia staff to get the answers to the rest of your budget questions and should be able to post the answers tomorrow.

Danica

The Well

By Blue Heart Charity Posted on Mon 18 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Hi EMW.
I have a few questions.
How deep is the well and how do you dig the well?
How do you pump the water to the surface? Is it an electric pump or gas pump?
Is the storage tank elevated? How do you pump the water into the storage tank after it goes through sand filtration?
Arsenic in the ground water is a big problem in that area. Does the sand filtration system effectively filter of arsenic?
How much water can you get through your sound filtration system per hour?
If you use local contractors to dig the well or supply any other installation services?
Are the parts you have listed readily available in Cambodia?
Thanks!!
-Eugene

The Well - reply from Narin Phouv, EMW Cambodia

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Tue 19 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Hi Eugene,

The well will be 45-50m deep.
There are two electric pumps: One to pump the water to the surface and another to pump the water into the elevated storage tank after it goes through the rapid sand filter. The system allows for 60m3-70m3 of water per hour.

The arsenic in the ground water is not a big problem in the specific target area, but as the sand filtration does not filter arsenic, the water will be tested immediately after the well is dug and if arsenic is a problem the well will be closed and a new one dug and tested.

Public bidding will be held and a local contractor will drill the wells and build the system.

Best,
Narin

The Well - reply from Narin Phouv, EMW Cambodia

By Blue Heart Charity Posted on Mon 25 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Hi EMW,
A group in Phnom Phen, (RDI) has a web page at http://www.rdic.org/ and have some information concerning arsenic in the ground water in that area. They may be aboe to help with testing and filtration if arsenic is a problem for you.
Above, you mention that if you have arsenic in the well you dig that you will close and dig a new well. How far away will you dig the well and does that mean you will have to relocate the filtration facility? Do you have land purchased for this well and filtration facility?

Thanks!
Eugene

The Well

By Team Blue Posted on Thu 21 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Minor comments - you presumably mean electric or diesel not "gas" pump. Electric is almost always better if you access to the reliable power lines. Most piped rural water supply systems have overhead water storage, as it gives you some safety backup if your power source runs out temporarily. Regarding bidding for local contractors, it's good to support local drillers, but only if they have the appropriate skills. Sometimes that is not the case. - Rick

Technology

By Agua Para La Salud (APLS) Posted on Sat 16 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

In the technology section you list 10elements of the water system. Would you post pictures and / or designs of these 10 elements and their costs?

Technology

By Agua Para La Salud (APLS) Posted on Mon 18 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

I will need these designs and / or photos to properly review your project. Will you post them soon? Thank-you

Technology

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Wed 20 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Hi Lynn,

We will have the system diagrams and detailed budget for you tomorrow.

Sorry for the delay.

Danica

Technology

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Fri 22 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

We have just uploaded a diagram of the water system as well as a detailed budget of the treatment plant.

Best,
Danica

Re: Technology

By Blue Planet Network Posted on Sun 24 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Thanks. I see an increased complexity and energy consumption due to two pumping stations.

We have a design with the rapid sand filter on top of the OHT and then you only need one pump from the borewell to the top of the OHT.

Isn't this proposal to create a water system like the US where even flushing water is drinking quality? Wouldn't a simpler system with a household biosand filter at the drinking water points be much more efficient and effective?

I live in an affluent community in Bangalore living off ground water 50m (similar borewell and OHT) and we don't treat any of the water except point-of-use household filters. Its fine for bathing and all household use except drinking. We have high TDS but no (or little) biological contamination. Is the situation very different in Cambodia?

Thanks,
Rajesh

Re: Technology

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Mon 25 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

We have traditionally built EMW water systems with the two pumps as eliminating one pump requires that the filter be mounted on top of the water tower which causes a few different complications.

1) The water tower is much more expensive as it needs a much larger foundation to support the extra weight of the filters and still must withstand often strong winds in the region.

2) Repairs and monitoring are much more difficult with the filters on the top of the tower, as the water manager must climb to the top daily to monitor; repairs are also more difficult for the same reason.

Regarding the water quality--this proposal is not meant to create a water system similar to that in the US. The water that arrives in the households is for domestic use and must be boiled for consumption. Because of this, the water quality is tested not only for arsenic but also for other types of biological contamination to ensure that the types of filtration will produce healthy water for domestic purposes and drinking.

Arsenic, Budget & status of the projects of 2009

By Project Well Posted on Tue 19 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Hi,
A. All the questions of the peer reviewers are valid questions and I am interested in any report of arsenic in the target area.

B. Can you provide the detail budget on :
1. the water treatment plan;
2. research;
3. how many project staff, the functions?

C. All the active projects listed here http://peerwater.org/organizations/8-East-Meets-West-Foundation are still in progress and have past the completion date. what is the status of these projects? can you upload a few photos please?
Thank you and best wishes

Arsenic, Budget & status of the projects of 2009

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Tue 19 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Hi Meera,

I can answer your last question and will have our water team get back to you on the first two.

The four projects are complete and are part of a larger group of 75 water projects EMW completed in the last few years with a GPOBA grant from the World Bank. Due to the scale of the program, we were unable to input our results for each individual project and are currently working with BPR to upload the accurate data.

The latest project we completed with funding from BPR(Clean Water at Soramarith Secondary School) has many pictures and a detailed report. And the rest of these GPOBA projects will be uploaded after this funding round has been completed.

Danica

Arsenic, Budget & status of the projects of 2009

By Team Blue Posted on Thu 21 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Arsenic, Budget & status of the projects of 2009

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Fri 22 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Please see the recently uploaded detailed budget for more information regarding the water treatment plan.

Best,
Danica

Arsenic, Budget & status of the projects of 2009

By Project Well Posted on Sat 23 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Hi Danica,
thanks for uploading the detailed budget. Where should I look for it? The one attached to the application seems to be the same one as before.
Meera

Arsenic, Budget & status of the projects of 2009

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Mon 25 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Meera,

The detailed water treatment budget is a PDF attachment.

Best,

clarification

By Pure Water for the World Posted on Fri 15 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

1) how many people are getting sanitation? 1819 shown but 80% have already. no sanitation construction work discussed in proposal.
2) proposal says slow sand filter then lists a rapid sand filter. please reconcile. what is the function of the up flow tank?
3) the system seems dependent on electricity. how reliable is the supply and is the cost included in the maintenance?
4) if the pump breaks, who repairs it? is there a manual override to provide water during power outages and pump maintenance?
5) will chlorine be added to the product water to prevent contamination in the distribution system?

clarification

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Mon 18 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

Carolyn,

1) The number of people participating in the Hygiene Awareness Campaign (1,819 people) are classified as receiving 'sanitation benefits' as opposed to being classified as receiving 'other benefits.'
2) The system will use a rapid sand filter. (I have reconciled the discrepancy)

Our team in Cambodia will get back to you with the rest of the answers soon.
Thanks for the questions.

Danica

clarification - post by Narin Phouv, EMW Cambodia

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Tue 19 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

2) The upflow tank slows the flow of the water in order for sediment/contamination to separate before the water enters the rapid sand filter.

3) Yes the system needs electricity to run the pumps and the costs for this are included in the monthly usage fees.

4)The Water Management Committee (WMC) is responsible for any malfunctions with the water system. If the problem is minor, the WMC can fix it and if it is a major problem they can contract a technician to repair the system. All fee for maintenance are also covered by the monthly usage fees.

5)Yes, chlorine will be added in to the product water to prevent contamination in the distribution system.

clarification on 1

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Thu 18 Aug 2011, over 12 years ago

1) Just to clarify, we have moved the Hygiene Awareness Campaign beneficiaries into the 'other benefits' category.

Danica

clarification

By Team Blue Posted on Thu 21 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

No one should ever finance the construction of an electricity driven water system unless access to the power is clearly agreed upon between the local electricity authority, the local government, and agreement and willingness to pay for services among the prospective power consumers. There are existing protocols for the length of the power lines and power demand (# of consumers and average power consumption per person).

Identification of qualified support personnel needs to be agreed upon in coordination with the local authorities before any construction gets underway.

Chlorine will quite likely be included in all of the water systems co-financed through the PWX program.

If the pump fails, the person who should have been identified as an integral part of the water system design, will deal with the problem. In some cases, there may be a "circuit rider" who is responsible for operating and maintaining a set of water systems within a prescribed area.

Circuit Rider and replacement costs

By Agua Para La Salud (APLS) Posted on Sat 23 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

We have seen a number of communities go without water for long periods because they did not plan to collect funds to buy new pumps when they were not repairable. What amount of funds are kept in reserve to pay these costs.

Are the Circuit Riders permanent, trained paid individuals or are they selected volunteers from the villages that have a limited( 1 year) tenure?

What regulations are in place to deal with individuals who cannot pay or will not pay the monthly fees?

Circuit Rider and replacement / backup costs

By Team Blue Posted on Sun 24 Jul 2011, over 12 years ago

It is standard practice that the O&M cost calculations should ALWAYS include a reasonably sufficient amount of money to cover all anticipated standard expenses, including electricity, qualified technical staff, spare and replacement parts and materials).

Not all communities are likely to have to have easy and immediate access to (or readily available money to pay for) well-qualified technical personnel to deal with on-site problems, so it is not uncommon for a highly qualified technical person to service more complex problems (pump breakdowns, component failures such as chlorinators, water meters, electricity, chemicals, etc.).

It is important to establish a reliable supply chain for all the necessary goods, materials and skilled personnel to keep the water system fully functional over the long term. To help insure access to spare parts and services, it is desirable to have a backup source of goods and materials. While this is an extra cost, it is likely to minimize outage periods over the long term.

Regarding circuit riders, they are indeed permanent, trained (of course) who would be able to provide repair/replacement service on short notice.

Regarding long term planning, typically the most important short term cost requirement (at least for pumped systems) is when the pump itself fails and requires repair or replacement.

If for any reason water consumers are unwilling to pay for the standard water services, there should be an extra charge for providing those services after the water user is able to mobilize funding from alternative resources. The only situation where this may not be the case would be indigent customers who are simply unable to pay for services, such as very old or ill families.


Application Summary

Applicant :   East Meets West Foundation
Status : approved_accepted
Country : CAMBODIA Map

Funding

Amount Funded :   $65,000
Funded By:-
Anonymous : $65,000
Funds Used
: $65,000
Funds Available
: $0

Projects Summary of Application

Number of Projects : 1
Overall Start Date : TODO!
Overall Completion Date : TODO!
Date of Last Update : 2014-01-29