Comprehensive Clean Water

Project Description

Well water is the primary source of drinking water for many in the neighborhoods of the Pampa de la Madre, on the outskirts of Montero, Bolivia. Parasite analysis has indicated that the majority of the children in these neighborhoods are infected with parasites which cause gastrointestinal disorders, including severe diahrea. Extensive well water testing, in this area revealed extremely high levels of bacterial contamination, and nearly half of the wells contained potential fecal contamination, evidenced by the presence of E. Coli bacteria.

Without clean water, families in any community-can never achieve optimum health. The Rotary Foundation, Rotary 6220, Rotary Montero and Engineers Without Borders partnered with Etta Projects to create a clean water system that works, is easy to use and can be made by the local community with common tools.

Project objectives

The project was designed with the goal of improving the lives of people living in four neighborhoods in the Pampa de la Madre community through a comprehensive clean water strategy. The project's objectives include:

  • Educating the community's residents about water sanitation and hygiene
  • Training the community on building, using and maintaining appropriate and sustainable treatment technology to ensure clean water
  • Evaluating changes in water quality and use and disease burden on the health of community residents as project outcomes

This one project, a simple candle filter system to purify water, will significantly impact 500 individuals by diminishing parasite infection, disease symptoms and low body weight caused by high levels of bacterial and parasitic contamination of local water supplies.

Final completion of the project is slated for October 2009.

Education and sustainability

Education is the key to sustaining this proejct. Disease exists due to contaminated water source, inadequate transport and storage of water, and poor hygiene and sanitation. Thus, the education plan focuses on hygiene and clean water practices. Mediums employed for this education include written materials, video, puppets, theater, and music. Our desire is to develop a community of teachers and learners by teaching children to teach their parents,and women to teach other women and families. We have developed educational materials that are compatible with the literacy and learning levels of the local population while using some tested practices developed by other organizations.

Sustainability of this project has been enhanced by the formation of communiuty health groups. While learning about water, health, hygiene and teaching, the project particpants coalesce as a group to learn about leadership, conflict resolution, self-esteem, communication and goal setting. The skills gained and the friendships formed through community organizing will be sustained long after the project 's completion.

How the water purification system works

A ceramic candle filter system is the heart of the clean water strategy. The system was selelected based on the following criteria: community feedback, review of engineering literature, professional experience, cost, treatment effectivness, simplicity, usability, desirability, portability, and maintenance. This system, capable of long-term effective bacterial removal, consists of a ceramic filter inserted into the top of a two bucket system. All parts can be obtained locally or regionally. Also, several studies have shown this filter, among all the options, to have the highest long-term use rates by communities around the world.

System performance

The project's success is measured by health screenings that are administered to all project particpants and their families. The health screenings measure the health improvement of the individuals who have had access to the clean water systems. Standard screening metrics include: weight, parasite infection, and disease symptoms. Additional measurement data includes anecdotal feedback from participants.

Water assessment will include bacterial analysis (raw water versus filter effluent versus storage) and water use rates (frequency of use, daily "flow" rates, source water used, effluent water use, etc.) for the ceramic filters in each home.

Project partners

This education intensive project integrates the talents, skills, and resources of several organizations to improve the lives of the people in the Pampa de la Madre:

  • Etta Projects staff, including project coordinator and education coordinators, provides project design and administration
  • The Montero Rotary Club serves as the financial administrator and local resource provider.
  • Rotary District 6220 & The Rotary Foundation function as primary financial partners.
  • The Michigan Techological University chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is responsible for design, testing, and assessment of the water treatment technology and serves as technical consultant throughout the life of the project.
  • Local project participants share local knowledge on water issues, obstacles, challenges, and solutions; in addition, they provide the energy to construct and implement the clean water solution.

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