Project Overview
In 2014 Global Brigades built a water system in the community of El Junquillo, where people had previously relied on increasingly dry hand dug wells for decades. This system provides clean water to over 310 beneficiaries.
El Junquillo, Honduras
Prior to Global Brigades’ arrival the community of El Junquillo didn’t have a centralized water system providing access to all members of the community. Many community members dug wells on their property, although they generally only found very limited quantities of water. With the hot, dry climate of south Honduras, water dried up quickly and families typically did not have enough water to meet their needs, forcing them to skip basic hygiene and sanitation practices. Further endangering their health, few community members treated their water prior to consuming it and there was no centralized water treatment plan, which greatly increased their risk of contracting waterborne disease. With dry wells and increasingly sparse access, water was a prized commodity in El Junquillo.
Water System Solution
Water Brigaders from several different universities worked in El Junquillo from March to June 2014. During that time, these volunteers worked with community members to:
• Drill a well and install a pump
• Construct 10,000 gallon storage tank with chlorinator
• Dig approximately 7,500 meters of trench and lay pipeline
• Connect approximately 100 houses and 1 school
• Provide educational seminars to children in the community on water and health related topics
To ensure the sustainability of the project, a new seven member Water Council was established and trained by Water Brigades in addition to a Basic Sanitation Committee also trained by Water Brigades. When Water Brigades first entered the community of El Junquillo a dire water need was observed. Despite high temperatures and the unrelenting sun, community members demonstrated their desire for water through their collaboration and dedication to the project.
Water Project Stages
All stages of this water project have been completed.