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Water Supply: San Antonio Abad, El Salvador
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Project Manager: Ryan Jensen Project Team:
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Background
San Antonio Abad is in northern El Salvador, near the small town of Candelaria de la Frontera, and 11 km from Santa Ana, the nearest city. During the rainy season water is plentiful in shallow aquifers. However, the supply diminishes quickly once the dry season begins. Therefore, the women must walk 2 km round trip to the nearest gas station to purchase water. The government agency that distributes water will not fund the design and construction of new water projects for they only administer systems that are already in place. The community cannot afford to pay for the technical design themselves, despite their fundraising efforts. It is also very difficult to get the support of non-governmental organizations without first having a technical design. The local water board recently sent an application to Engineers Without Borders (EWB) asking for their help in providing San Antonio Abad with a design for a year-round water supply. The current CSU-EWB team has decided to undertake the water supply design project for San Antonio Abad. In previous years, another CSU-EWB team has been working in La Laguneta/El Chile, El Salvador on a similar project which is now in the implementation phase. The La Laguneta/El Chile team has provided our team with information on logistics and design considerations, and will be an excellent resource through all three phases of our project.
Research Plan
The objectives of Phase 1 are: a) survey the area; b) perform a hydrogeologic study; c) assess water quality; d) assess community resources; e) perform a health survey; and f) gather local community support and learn about cultural values. These tasks will be performed during an eight-day trip with a 10-person volunteer crew. The crew consists of 1 hydrogeology professor, 3 natural resource graduate students (hydrogeology and watershed science), and 6 civil engineering undergraduate students (freshman to senior status). The hydrogeology professor will supervise the project while in El Salvador. All aspects of this project are on the voluntary basis and all costs for this project are currently being covered by each individual.
Upon arrival in San Antonio Abad we will first survey and assess the surrounding area to gather information on topography, current land use, and placement of houses, wells, electricity, and latrines. Local land ownership will be determined. Next, we will undertake a hydrogeologic study, including determining depth and water levels in any existing wells, gathering any information of lithology, performing aquifer tests if possible, and mapping the well locations, surface water features, vegetation, and bedrock outcrops if visible. Third, we will test surface water and groundwater for coliform and other parameters to gain crucial information about the water quality in the area. Fourth will be an assessment of the material and human resources available for the implementation and maintenance of the new water supply. Fifth, a health survey will be made to establish the need for water purification and to understand waste disposal practices that may affect water quality. Finally, a very important objective of this trip is to get support from the local community which will be fundamental to the success of the project. Knowledge of the local customs and practices are needed to create a design that is harmonious and economically sustainable with the community's goals and objectives.
Final Design
The overall final design for San Antonio Abad consists of a two phase implementation plan. During the first phase, a 20 foot water tower will be built in the green zone to the west of the community with the water pumped from the well that has been drilled in the community green zone within the village. During the first phase, water will be distributed to four community distribution points situated at key locations throughout the village from the water tower, which also includes a treatment system. During the second phase, water will be distributed throughout the village to each and every household. For more information, please refer to the links below for the final design presentation, final design report, and a link to the web page for the team that designed this distribution system.
New Horizon Engineering Website