Summary
wells, latrines, gravity flow projects in Camoapa, Dario and El Sauce, Nicaragua
Background
El Porvenir has worked in these three regions for 6, 11, and 16 years respectively developing potable water and basic sanitation projects in small rural villages which had no other possible source of financial support for infrastructure. Emphasis is on c
Location
El Sauce, Dario, Camoapa, Leon, Matagalpa, Boaco, NicaraguaAttachments
Focus
Primary Focus: Drinking Water - Community
Secondary Focus: Drinking Water - Households
People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 533
90 families
School Children Getting Water:
People Getting Sanitation: 559
105
People Getting Other Benefits: 855
117 families will receive health and hygiene education, training in long term maintenance of projects, opportunity to take part in reforestation of microwatersheds
Start Date: 2005-12-01
Completion Date: 2006-12-31
Technology Used:
Water projects: gravity flow spring capture, hand-dug wells with rope pump, simple traditional latrines, modified for ventilation.
Phases:
Projects which include both wells and latrines in one community will be developed in two phases, latrines first, then wells. Well development concentrated in dry season which is very short in Camoapa region.
Community Organization:
The community had to come to El Porvenir in the first place to request this project,i.e. it is a need identified as important by the community. We do not initiate projects. The community must elect its own committee to manage the project and take long term responsibilityfor its care and maintenance. Community provides all labor on a volunteer basis. community must obtain site control of any water project, through donation or purchase, which is legalized by attorney and municipal government. Community finances any repairs needed in the long term.
Government Interaction:
Ancillary activities:
See above. In addition, technicians who supervise construction of gravity flow systems teach maintenance, leave small kit of needed tools with the community, and all beneficiaries sign an agreement for careful use of water, payment of monthly maintenance fee, etc
In well projects several members of every community participate in installation of rope pump so that later they know how to take it apart and fix it and reinstall it. Repairs are cheap, e.g. $3 for a new rope.
Other Issues:
After project construction, water project communities are invited to participate in reforestation. Those who want to do so will develop seedling nurseries, transplant in the rainy season, and maintain the plantations under barbed wire fence and "no burn" protection for three years minimum. Reforestation project includes construction of fuel-saving, smoke-free stoves in the homes of reforestation participants (and eventually others). Community health educators will visit all projects after construction to teach hygience (handwashing e.g.) and encourage ongoing maintenance and repair of all projects, strengthen local committees, etc.
Maintenance Revenue:
Gravity flow water project beneficiaries pay monthly stipend in anticipation of system repairs. Well project beneficiaries pay for repairs as needed by community colection.
Maintenance Cost: $3
Metrics:
Prior art before metrics