Clean Water and Infrastructure Training for Las Siete Estrellas

Year: 2015
Country: El Salvador
Project Status: Funded
Impact Sector: Health
Project Investment: $2,234.80

Project Launch: 12-4-15

The local water source for the seven fishing communities of Laguna de Metapan is highly contaminated with iron, manganese, and bicarbonates. This project will collaborate with the communities’ water directive, a dedicated and active group of community members, to conduct an assessment of their water system. Through training sessions with water experts and the local health inspector, the water directive will test the water to understand its current quality and explore available water treatment systems. Community members will also participate in workshops focused on clean water practices, hygiene and sanitation. As a result of this project, the water directive will create a plan of action to provide reliable, potable water.

Project Update

For two weeks, water experts and local health inspectors tested water samples from the seven communities. The samples showed high level of contaminates, leading experts to design a concept for a new water treatment system, which they presented to each of the seven communities to hear their opinions and suggestions. Additionally, the communities participated in WASH workshops, which focused on the importance of sanitation, hygiene, and water filtration. Moving forward, the communities are working with the water directive to create a plan of action to implement the new water system in order to provide the community with safe, reliable, affordable, potable water.

Testimonials

"I believe that the people who didn't know the importance of washing their hands with soap now understand the importance, thanks to the training." - Sandra, Project Participant

"This project has given women the knowledge they need to protect their children from bacteria and parasites in the water." - Julie, Peace Corps Volunteer