Les Anglais, Haiti
Clean Water to a Town Beyond the Highway
| Location: | Les Anglais, Haiti |
| Need: | Drinking water treatment; water resources development |
| Partner: | OSLC (Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Lake Oswego) and Reciprocal Ministries International |
| Status: |
The project was approved by EWB-USA in April 2008 and design activities are ongoing. The site assessment team plans to travel in January/February 2009. The project team has formed but is still looking for for talented and motivated people to make this a great project. Please contact Carolyn Shapiro of more information on how you can be involved. |
| Meeting Location: | ESCO Office Building NW 25th and NW Vaughn (Parking in ESCO lots is OK) |
| Project Lead: | Carolyn Shapiro |
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Background
OSLC volunteers have been assisting the community of Les Anglais since 1988, including providing free medical clinics. They noticed a consistent set of problems in their patients, including dehydration, and low grade fevers with stomach and bowel illnesses. Drinking water sources were tested and all were found to contain high coliform counts. The community water system comprises two concrete reservoirs each fed by spring with a 4” inlet and 3” outlet to the distribution system. These reservoirs have a total capacity of ~40,000 gallons and serve approximately 12,000 people. Each reservoir can be emptied in 4 to 6 hours under heavy use during the dry months. The only water treatment currently in use is a small dose of chlorine per reservoir every few months.
OSLC came to our chapter requesting technical assistance in providing additional water treatment for the community of Les Anglais. There are other parts of the community that are not served by the reservoirs due to remote location. OSLC hopes to develop additional sources of potable water for these areas in the future.
Carolyn Shapiro and Kelly Cushing of EWB Portland traveled to the community of Les Anglais with OSLC in February 2008 on an exploratory trip
Project Startup
The project was approved in April 2008 and the design team is forming. Using information gathered on the Feburary 2008 OSLC trip and provided by OSLC from previous trips, the Les Anglais project team is now working on treatment concepts and site assessment plans. There is a lot of work to be done--- the team is developing water treatment options including centralized and point-of-use treatment with chemical disinfection, sand filters, or other. It is anticipated that future work will include expanding the drinking water capacity for the district. If you're interested in pitching in, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the project or contacting Carolyn for information about joining the project team.
Site Assessment Planning
The team is planning an extensive site assessment trip for January 2009. Recent hurricane damage in Les Anglais delayed this trip also increased the community needs. Read more here. The trip will include limited repairs to restore water supply from a major water source to Les Anglais town, in addition to community mapping, community health surveys and meetings.
Funding is desparately needed to address the many needs of the Les Anglais community. Please help out if you can.
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EWB Project Team and Les Anglais Partners
The EWB project team is composed of engineers, public health professionals and other talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds. Invaluable assistance has been provided by brothers, Etienne and Norbert, who work as agronomists in the Les Anglais region.
EWB Portland Professionals Les Anglais Team with Les Anglais partners, from left: Steve Blaine, Grace Weatherford, Travis Hultin, Aimee Lavarnway, Dick Raub, Kay Mattson, Etienne Francois, Heidi Kriz, Norbert Francois, Kim Slack, Carolyn Shapiro, Jessica DeClerck.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| 512_Haiti project_20081005.pdf | 180.12 KB |