Project Overview
In 2018, Global Brigades completed a new water system in the community of Las Cureñas with the collaboration of the local municipal government. This system provides clean water to 470 beneficiaries.
Las Curenas, Nicaragua
Before the water project completion in Las Cureñas, there was an issue of accessibility. Around 87.5% of the community members collected water in public wells and the rest from a river and some springs. Community members had to walk to obtain drinking water. A walk to the nearest pump could be up to 20 minutes on rough terrain. This was especially difficult for the elderly.
The responsibility of collecting water often fell on the mother of the household and/or children. Typically, an individual would make a trip to the water pump 4-6 times daily, having to carry 10-liter jugs. The time taken from a persons day simply to collect water was significant. Additionally, water access would become more sparse between the dry months of February to May.
Water System Solution
From December to April 2018, 1,392 volunteers partnered with community members from Las Cureñas to complete 85% of the pipeline installation. Additionally, a 20-cubic meter concrete water storage tank was constructed. Once trench digging was complete, what was left was installing one submersible electric pump as well as water meters in each of the receiving homes. An electric pump was needed to carry water against gravity to homes at a higher elevation. Once the electric system was installed, it was not only a success in the community to have electricity, but it also meant that the water system could begin being pumped out to households.
The inauguration of the system was hosted on September 28th, 2018. System tests were conducted to guarantee that the water was potable and had a sufficient flow rate. Water quality results indicated the water was safe for drinking. The capacity test demonstrated 30 gallons per minute, with the 3 hp electric submersible pump. This test showed that the system was ready to supply it’s projected 101 households, totaling 470 beneficiaries, with water. In addition to construction, a water and sanitation council was trained to empower the community to manage the maintenance, repairs, and treatment of their own water system.
Water Project Stages
All stages of this water project have been completed.