Background

Los Andes is a community of about 20 households that has been facing water insecurity for years. In 2014, the community installed a well in the central part of town, but it continues to go unused. After running tests on the water in the well, it was found that there was too much iron in the water and therefore unsafe to drink. Last year, EfID was able to partner with the community to try to find a solution to this problem.

The Need

Along with the community members, there is a school and small clinic that also experience issues with maintaining a reliable water source. The people in the community want to get a more sustainable access to water that is able to supply them enough to match their needs. This includes having direct access to a clean water source.

Current Progress

In January 2024, 6 students from EfID along with two advisors traveled to Los Andes to do an assessment of the community and their needs. This trip provided the team a better insight to the situation of the community, allowed them to obtain data to design a system, do preliminary water testing on the well water, and establish relationships with a variety of community members including the local water authority, public health officials, the mayor of the region, and professors from the University of Costa Rica. 

Right now, EfID is still working closely with the community and are planning for their first implemention phase in May 2024. This part of the project will include setting up an off-grid electricity system that will pump a well for water quality testing. The purpose of doing this is to better determine what disinfection and filtration systems can be used to clean the water.

Background

Huacas is a larger community with nearly 500 households. The water distribution and disinfection system in the community is run by the local water association, but they are facing an increase in demand. They already have a 3 tank water storage system and utilize two wells as water sources, but are looking to make the system larger.

The Need

Over the past few years, Huacas has been expanding and the demand for water is increasing. Along with this, there are often times when the system is in need of maintenance. The water association in the community is looking to expand upon the current system to make sure that there is enough water for everyone that needs it. To do this, they need to better understand how much water is being used and how much the demand is going to grow in upcoming years.

Current Progress

In an assessment trip in January 2024, 6 students and 2 advisors from EfID traveled to Huacas. The purpose of this trip was to meet with the water association to better understand the issues with the current system and to see how it is set up. The group got to work throughout the community, visiting work sites for possible expansion, the current water storage tanks, and the wells that are being used as water sources. Along with this, the students took data points throughout the community and gathered water pressure data to model the system with EPANET.

The remainder of this project for EfID will be based back at George Mason. There are a team of students working to analyze and sort through the gathered data while also working closely with the community to gain more data as needed. Over the next few months, EfID will run a more in-depth analysis of the water needs in Huacas and propose a solution to the water association on how to best expand their current system.