PROJECT
CONCERN INTERNATIONAL
August 2003
Summary of Implementation of Solar Water Pasteurizers, AquaPak,
in the Community of Cuevitas, Municipality San Antonio Pajonal, Department
of Santa Ana, El Salvador
Project Background
In March of 2003, PCI signed a letter of agreement with the Trinational
Commission of the Trifinio Plan to contribute to the sustainable and integrated
development of communities in the Trifinio Region. Trifinio members profiled
community projects in the Trifinio area which had been prioritized by
local government officials. PCI personnel selected several of these areas,
including Cuevitas for further investigation and project development.
PCI´s first intervention in the community after the realization
of participatory surveys, was training and implementation of the Solar
Water Pasteurizers, AquaPak. Other activities have included the organization
of a water administration board and community planning sessions for irrigation,
agrotourism and potable water projects.
During July of this year PCI signed a letter of agreement with municipal
and local governments as well as the Trinational Commission of the Trifinio
Plan to implement an economic development project in Cuevitas within the
framework of PCI´s USDA IV food security project.
Community Profile
Las Cuevitas is a small community in the northwest corner of the department
of Santa Ana in El Salvador. It is home to 35 families who make their
living in and around the hydroelectric reservoir, Lake Guija. During the
6 month dry season, families from Cuevitas cultivate approximately 70
acres of land uncovered by the receding lake. During the rainy season
these families sustain themselves with fishing activities. Both agriculture
and fishing products are sold in Guatemala and El Salvador. The community
is bordered by a national wilderness area and the lake.
Access to the community from El Salvador is limited to a single road during
the dry season. During the rainy season the community is only accessible
by boat and on foot. The community does not have access to electricity,
potable water or adequate sanitation. Currently community members drink
water directly from the lake without any type of treatment.
The community is well organized and has a local governing body named the
Community Development Association which is recognized by municipal and
national governments.
Project Description
Rural Participatory Survey
PCI technician, Noel Santamaria, in March of 2003 facilitated a Rural
Participatory Survey which revealed that community members view economic
development as the first priority for creating an environment for sustainable
progress in Cuevitas. Potable water, electricity and adequate sanitation
follow in rapid succession as community priorities.
Noel Santamaria continued community assistance activities through April
and May with 4 participatory planning sessions for irrigation, potable
water, economic diversification and agrotourism.
Training and Implementation
On Tuesday, April 29, 2003 Andrea Lamer facilitated a training session
on the use of water filters according to the instructions found on the
AquaPak. PCI distributed all (30) of the water filters to the 26 families,
the community school (1) and meeting house (1). Extra units (2) were assigned
to the health promoter to lend to families with small children suffering
with diarrheal disease.
Monitoring
During subsequent visits to the community, Noel Santamaria has monitored
the use of the AquaPaks. During the first visit he found 24 homes using
the AquaPaks. Two families manifested dissatisfaction with the process
because of the time involved in treating the water and/or lack of understanding
of the relation between unclean water and illness.
Noel Santamaria facilitated a refresher workshop Thursday, May 22 for
all the families involved in the project. All families retained use of
the AquaPaks. In his latest visit to Cuevitas on June 26, 2003, Noel Santamaria
found all the AquaPaks in use.
Helpful
Links
Here are some links you might find useful.
If you would like to suggest or exchange a link,
please email us at information@solarsolutions.info.
We do not necessarily endorse all the contents
of all sites listed here, but provide them only
as
a resource.
Solar, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development:
Dr. Robert Metcalf:
- Recent Advances in Solar Water Pasteurization
- Spreading Technology to Refugee Camps
- Water Testing/Solar Water Pasteurization in Kenya & Tanzania
- MicroBiology of Solar Water Pasteurization with Applications in Kenya & Tanzania
- Summary of Nyakach Survey on Solar Water Pasteurizing
- http://www.imageevent.com/bobmetcalf
Dale Andreatta:
- Solar Water Pasteurization Techniques
- Eco-San (Ecological Sanitation)
- The Solar Puddle
- Solar Box Cookers
- Procedure For Estimating Performance Of The AquaPak
Organizations:
NREL (National Renewable Energy Lab)