EWB-UCSB CHAPTER (Photos below are from the trip to Peru, Summer 2007)
EWB-UCSB members first traveled to Araypallpa, Peru in July 2004 to assess the community’s water and sanitation needs and install a solar-powered lighting system at the local school. With EWB-UCSB’s assistance, the community hoped to implement water and solar energy projects to gain access to safe drinking water and adequate educational opportunities. During Summer 2005, the Peru team installed a pilot slow sand filter and trained community members to maintain and monitor the system. Water demand and health surveys were conducted as well.
In Summer 2007, EWB-UCSB completed the evaluation of the pilot slow sand filter and constructed the full-scale system for one of the two community’s water sources. The team also installed two improved chlorination devices that provide more control of chlorine levels for both water sources. In response to the community’s request for more irrigation water, the team implemented a pilot grey water recycling system at the community garden. The team continued to build the community capacity by providing additional training and conducting a series of educational workshop to the entire village on sanitation and hygiene.
During fall 2007 through spring 2008 the community
water and filter committees will follow a monitoring
plan to assure the proper functioning of the summer
07 installations before completing the installation for
the second source in 2008; the results will also provide
a basis for the nurse and the community to begin
sharing the new technologies with nearby communities.
The community water committee was further
trained to conduct the water testing follow-up and
system maintenance.
Moving Forward In 2008 the team will travel to the community for the fifth time in order to complete the project and work with the Araypallpiños to install an additional two filters at the second water source. Follow-up will be done on all construction, maintenance, and technical training from previous years to assure that Araypallpa can sustain the slow sand filters and chlorination devices in EWB-UCSB’s absence. EWB-UCSB will also be visiting the nearby village of Sankka for a preassessment trip. The village of Sankka has complained of high frequency of diarrhea and respiratory illness similar to the original complaints of Araypallpa in 2004. EWB-UCSB will work with Sankka to examine their request for a health outpost. In addition, they will assess the town for possible preventative measures including water quality and sanitation and hygiene practices. Given the proximity of the two villages, it may be that similar technologies and education may work in Sankka. The Araypallpiños will be trained to serve as mentors to this nearby village so that best-practice information can be passed along.
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The EWB-USA Response
In Summer 2006, EWB-UCSB helped to establish a
community library to facilitate access to more educational
resources in agriculture as requested by
the community. They also continued monitoring the
filtration system, initiated a grey water recycling
pilot project, and did a water usage survey.
