Overview
Who We Are Impacting: This community has 456 people who make up 76 families!
What We Are Designing: We are presently working on a solar array to support the water system previously implemented through our chapter. The region has an unreliable electrical grid, which means that the storage tank supporting the system can only be filled during the night when there is less demand on the grid as the system relies on a pump-driven well for water supply. The solar array aims to supplement grid-supplied electricity, providing sufficient power to operate the pump and supply the system.
Where We Are Working: Caserío El Pericón Chuacorral Sector II
Why We Are Here: Since 1996, this community has been looking for a way to bring in a water project. It has struggled to do so until, in 2019, when they found help from the municipality to drill a well for them. Now, they seek help for distribution. The community feels that this water project will improve the economy and health of their people.
What We Are Designing: We are presently working on a solar array to support the water system previously implemented through our chapter. The region has an unreliable electrical grid, which means that the storage tank supporting the system can only be filled during the night when there is less demand on the grid as the system relies on a pump-driven well for water supply. The solar array aims to supplement grid-supplied electricity, providing sufficient power to operate the pump and supply the system.
Where We Are Working: Caserío El Pericón Chuacorral Sector II
Why We Are Here: Since 1996, this community has been looking for a way to bring in a water project. It has struggled to do so until, in 2019, when they found help from the municipality to drill a well for them. Now, they seek help for distribution. The community feels that this water project will improve the economy and health of their people.
Our Design
The water system consists of a number of interconnected components which work together to distribute water throughout the community. Water is sourced from a deep well located at the center of the community, which is then pumped to a storage tank located at the highest location in the community limits such that it can function similarly to a water tower. Prior to entering the tank, the water is chlorinated to remove any pathogens. From the tank, water is piped via gravity to taps located at homes and community buildings. The maximum elevation drop is 290 meters, equivalent to 950 feet, that is nearly 100 feet more than Madison is from sea level! To ensure that water reaches each tap at a comfortable pressure and that pipes don't burst, a system of break-pressure tanks are employed. These are structures that restore water to atmospheric pressure, without these measures the water would exert an enormous amount of pressure towards the ends of the pipelines given the large elevation differences. Also utilized are suspended crossings, structures which carry the water lines over valleys and streams in a manner similar to a suspension bridge.
Project History
Summer 2023
Remaining construction was completed and the system was brought online in July of 2023. While operational, the pump may only be operated at night to protect the equipment from voltage fluctuations that occur during the daytime hours when grid demand is increased. Presently, the pump provides enough water for the community to use when operated at night, however as demand on the system increases this amount will become insufficient unless steps are taken to address the unstable electrical supply.
Remaining construction was completed and the system was brought online in July of 2023. While operational, the pump may only be operated at night to protect the equipment from voltage fluctuations that occur during the daytime hours when grid demand is increased. Presently, the pump provides enough water for the community to use when operated at night, however as demand on the system increases this amount will become insufficient unless steps are taken to address the unstable electrical supply.
January 2023
The project team conducted a site visit to El Pericón. This provided the students an opportunity to meet with community members and project partners, as well as to conduct an inspection of the system. At the time of the trip, the majority of the system had been constructed, with all structures and piping complete but with fittings and electrical work still needing installation. The project team also was able to discuss the community's goals for a solar array, identify possible locations for the addition, and collect necessary data for design.
The project team conducted a site visit to El Pericón. This provided the students an opportunity to meet with community members and project partners, as well as to conduct an inspection of the system. At the time of the trip, the majority of the system had been constructed, with all structures and piping complete but with fittings and electrical work still needing installation. The project team also was able to discuss the community's goals for a solar array, identify possible locations for the addition, and collect necessary data for design.
Spring 2022
Phase One of construction is set to begin in the spring of 2022. However, persistent global economic challenges have continued to raise material prices in Guatemala. Because of this, the total project cost has risen unexpectedly over the past several months. In order to complete Phase Two of construction, additional funds must be raised in order for the project to be considered fully funded.
Summer/Fall 2021
The El Pericón project is in the pre-implementation phase right now. Our members have worked hard these past few months to complete the design of our water system and address any potential issues. We are looking forward to the beginning of Phase I of implementation, which includes the construction of the pump house, conduction line, and distribution tank. Because of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the implementation will be virtual, so we are working closely with the in-country office and our mentors and team to ensure the implementation's success.
Spring 2021
The Guatemala program has been hard at work designing the pump-driven water distribution system in El Pericón Chuacorral Sector II! This semester we have been working on the pre-implementation documents for this project, which involves finalizing the design for the system, and we are excited to be submitting them to EWB for review shortly!
Summer/Fall 2020
This project is in pre-assessment phase right now! We have gotten some fantastic information and photos of the community from the EWB office in Guatemala. Due to COVID-19, we are executing a virtual assessment for our water project in order to keep the timeline for this project on track. We will be working with our team and mentors to think outside of the box about how to make a virtual assessment just as successful as if we had been able to travel and perform it ourselves. One advantage we have is the excellent team in Guatemala we have been able to work with that are doing everything they can to help us make this project a success!
Phase One of construction is set to begin in the spring of 2022. However, persistent global economic challenges have continued to raise material prices in Guatemala. Because of this, the total project cost has risen unexpectedly over the past several months. In order to complete Phase Two of construction, additional funds must be raised in order for the project to be considered fully funded.
Summer/Fall 2021
The El Pericón project is in the pre-implementation phase right now. Our members have worked hard these past few months to complete the design of our water system and address any potential issues. We are looking forward to the beginning of Phase I of implementation, which includes the construction of the pump house, conduction line, and distribution tank. Because of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the implementation will be virtual, so we are working closely with the in-country office and our mentors and team to ensure the implementation's success.
Spring 2021
The Guatemala program has been hard at work designing the pump-driven water distribution system in El Pericón Chuacorral Sector II! This semester we have been working on the pre-implementation documents for this project, which involves finalizing the design for the system, and we are excited to be submitting them to EWB for review shortly!
Summer/Fall 2020
This project is in pre-assessment phase right now! We have gotten some fantastic information and photos of the community from the EWB office in Guatemala. Due to COVID-19, we are executing a virtual assessment for our water project in order to keep the timeline for this project on track. We will be working with our team and mentors to think outside of the box about how to make a virtual assessment just as successful as if we had been able to travel and perform it ourselves. One advantage we have is the excellent team in Guatemala we have been able to work with that are doing everything they can to help us make this project a success!
Video Of Water! | |
File Size: | 3153 kb |
File Type: | mp4 |