EWB-NCSU Bolivia Water Supply Project

Why Do They Need Additional Water Supplies? School Students Add to Population Rainfall – Avg. 8.5 in/yr – 0.7 in/month – Rainy season Nov –Feb – No rain in April – August

Current Water Supply 5000L Rainwater Tank Lower Spring – Connected from Spring with ¾” semi-flexible HDPEP – Upper Tanks 1000L Plastic Tank 1000L Fiberglass Tank 3000L Concrete Tank – Lower Tanks 9000L Concrete Tank Upper Spring – Disconnected – Used to Feed Upper Tanks before Earthquake

Sources of Additional Water Reconnect Upper Spring Increase Storage Capacity from Springs – More tanks – Change Pumping Schedule from Lower Box to Upper Box to Avoid Loss through Overflow Additional Rain Water Harvesting Systems River (2-3 hrs round trip to collect water)

Known Materials Available Fiberglass Tanks PVC pipe (up to 4” dia.) and fittings Caulk Valves Pumps Gutters Electricity

Water Demand Assessment Trip Report: – 150 people in approx 0.5 sq miles Post Implementation Report: – 60 people – 8 gallons/day – School Year Round Irrigation – School – Community

Concerns - Feasibility Feasibility – Engineering Design Head Loss Pump Capacity – Pipe Protection Soil Condition for Burying Pipe Materials to Protect Above Ground Pipe – Larger Dia. Pipe – Concrete – Maintenance Who? Where does money come from?

Concerns – Water Quality Sources – Potential Leaks in Tanks – Potential Leaks in Lids to Tanks – Animal Waste – Dust/ Atmospheric Deposition – Sediment Accumulation in Tanks – Lack on Maintenance – Standing Water – Direct Contact / Poor Hygiene Factors – Turbidity – Bacteria – Nitrites/Nitrates – Metals from Roof – pH – Iron

Base Line Data Water Demand per Person Water Demand variation throughout year – School Breaks/Vacations – Irrigation / Growing Season Number of People Using Water Uses of Water – Cooking – Handwashing – Irrigation Rate and Duration of Springs Incidence of Sickness due to Poor Water Quality

Potential Educational Opportunities Pipe Repair Tank Maintenance Teaching Rain Water Harvesting Teaching Sustainable Irrigation Methods Teaching Home Water Use – Prevent Contamination Teaching Hygiene – Requires Larger Water Supply

Goals of Assessment Trip Water Demand – Max. Demand Period – Population Growth – Future Development / School / Health Center Determine Water Supply – Dry Season Flow Determine Areas for Optimization Assess Spring Box Design and Maintenance Solutions Determine What Materials are Available Characterize Soil – Tank and Pipe Limitations Determine Current Hygiene Situation and Areas for Improvement Determine Areas for Education Compare with Designs / Solutions in Other Communities Expectations of Community Pictures and Dimensions