Novi Rotary Supports Clean Water Project in Ecuador

—Submitted by the Novi Rotary Club

Novi Rotary Club member Gary Sobotta led a team in Cuenca, Ecuador to implement a clean water project on Feb. 10, 11 and 12. The vocational training team used bio-sand water filters and gave community health promotion workshops. 

Rotary recognizes the importance of safe and clean water and has made it one of its highest priorities. Rotary encourages its clubs and districts to support efforts which help people to provide themselves with safe water reasonably close to their homes using simple, sustainable technology. Rotary club members initiate thousands of projects each year to supply, conserve, and purify water – all with the goal of providing clean and safe drinking water to communities in need.

The team in Ecuador included Paul Earwaker (UK) and Eva Manzano (Spain) of the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology, former Rotary Ambassador Scholar of Farmington Hills Erica Gwynn, and Lindsay Nicoson of the Ann Arbor Rotoract. The training was conducted entirely in Spanish without using an interpreter. Twenty four community health workers and designated technicians from the Rotary clubs of Esmeraldas, Gualaceo, Tomebamba-Cuenca and Zaruma attended the workshops.

Technicians received instruction and hands-on experience in the construction of the filter, including molding and curing of the concrete housings, selection and installation of graded sand media, and the manufacturing of diffuser basins and lids. Participants gained a clear understanding of the rationale behind the filter design and how to install it. Instructors explained to householders its correct usage to ensure the proper and consistent use of the filters in Ecuador. The community health workers received more in-depth training on health, sanitation, and bio-sand filter operation and maintenance so that they can help others use and maintain their filters properly. The team developed training material appropriate to the physical and cultural conditions of the local population. Sanitation and hygiene improvement depends on the degree to which the local community understands the values and assimilates them within their own family and community contexts.

After the workshop, the team met with each club, conducting a project planning exercise. This shared visioning exercise provided a useful framework for a club to consider and develop a coherent, shared set of goals and values for the project. During the first phase of the project, each club will complete 20 filters to determine the true cost of manufacturing for each region and the acceptance of implementing the filter into the community. The clubs expect the first phase of the project to be completed by July 1.

The team will use two components to evaluate the effectiveness of the project: a water quality testing of the source water and subsequent water testing to determine the removal rates of the containments and a questionnaire to study and continuously monitor and evaluate the efficacy of the bio-sand filter and health/hygiene programs implemented in selected Ecuadorian communities.

The workshop is just the beginning of the knowledge and skill transfer process. The Vocational Training Team will provide on-going consulting and support via e-mail, telephone and site visits to support the training participants with their projects and continue to enhance their capabilities. The Vocational Training Team will provide technical and implementation support in program development, troubleshooting, network building and project management. On request, custom consultation will be provided.

You can follow the progress of the project on its Facebook page Agua Limpia Ecuador. Use the “Like” button to share the content with your friends on Facebook.