CAMEROON
2007-2013
EWB-UD was able to bring clean drinking water to the villages of Bakang and Balatsit in Bamendjou, Cameroon through a partnership that began in 2007 and concluded in 2013. The system implemented supplies the community with clean ground water for drinking. Using solar power, water is pumped from borehole wells, located at three sites in the community, to plastic storage tanks. From the storage tanks, water is pumped up a hill to a 20,000L reservoir. From the reservoir, a pipeline takes the water to 4 tap stands located throughout the community. Before we started working in the community, the only access the vilagers had to clean drinking water was to travel several miles into town to pay for government water. The closest water source located in the community is the “cow pond,” that not only supplied water for drinking but also for activities ranging from cleaning clothes to cleaning their “motor bikes.” We have found that hydrous diseases are present in their available water sources, contributing to outbreaks of cholera, amoebic dysentery, and typhoid. With the project completed each member of the community will have access to 10L of clean drinking water per day with 7 access points throughout the villages.
GUATEMALA
2009-2014
We were introduced to this project by Dr. April Veness of UD’s Geography Department. After visiting San Jose, Dr. Veness learned of the village’s dilemma, and presented it to us for an engineering solution. In August 2009, we travelled to the village to speak with the community’s administrative council, the Comité. We completed a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both EWB-UD and the Comité, which describes the required work for the project, how the project will be completed, and who is responsible for specific aspects of the project. During this trip, we also collected soil samples and conducted water surveying. A lot of time was spent becoming familiar with the village by getting to know the area and becomming familiar with the locals. In January 2010, we conducted concrete and material testing at the construction site. After conducting a hydrological study in January 2011, we were able to complete a feasible design.
We built a 60-foot concrete bridge wide enough for one vehicle to cross the river at a time. We chose this approach over a timber suspension bridge based on the sustainable nature of the material and on the community’s familiarity with concrete construction. Crucial design help was provided by Dr. Allen Jayne, a faculty member at UD with professional experience in bridge design.
Construction took place over our January 2012 implementation trip. Students worked from dawn to dusk with local community members to move earth, lay rebar, and pour concrete. Work continued right up until our departure, so unfortunately we were not able to see the dry concrete until the community could send us pictures weeks later.
PHILIPPINES
2014-2021
EWB-UD was able to provide the community of Ubujan, Inabanga, Philippines with a water distribution and disinfection system to provide clean drinking and cooking water to the local community. The typhoon seasons, from November to April and June to September, leave the region especially vulnerable. The significant number of large storms causes damage to property and floods the public water sources with salt water. In addition, all water sources in Ubujan were contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria. Water quality concerns and seasonal susceptibility were the main motivations for the program.
After working with the community over many years, buildin The completed design includes a shed which houses the chlorination system, supplies, and access to the borehole. The chlorinated water is stored in an elevated reservoir which distributes potable water to four different tap stands to half of the community using over 1000 meters of piping. The system is designed to provide clean drinking and cooking water to an estimated 500 community members.
There are approximately 1,200 people in the community who would benefit from the assistance of EWB-UD. In mid December of 2021, the Philippines was hit by one of the most powerful typhoons in recent history, Typhoon Odette. EWB-UD’s partner community of Ubujan laid directly in the path of the typhoon, which caused the destruction of homes and damage to the sensitive power grid. After receiving news of Typhoon Odette, the Philippines team reached out to the government officials of Ubujan to assist with recovery efforts. Initial updates showed that the water system developed over the previous years is undamaged, but not functional without electricity.
The Philippines team and members of Ubujan worked together to form a disaster relief plan that would assist the several hundred families that live in the community. Disaster relief funds provided by the project team went towards a generator and diesel fuel that would power the water system while the power grid is offline. Additionally, bulk quantities of rice were purchased to be distributed between the families. Ubujan was able to distribute the rice and get the generator running in mid February, nearly two months after Typhoon Odette made landfall.