About the Nicaragua project
The Community:
The Nicaragua team has been partnered with the community of La Rinconada since the fall of 2017. La Rinconada is in need of a water distribution and treatment system. As of right now, they currently have very limited access to water, especially during the 6 month dry season, and the water they are able to obtain is often contaminated. Our team has drilled a well in La Rinconada to give the community a consistent and clean water source, and a pipeline distribution system has been installed. We plan to implement a water storage tank, electrical, pump, and treatment systems to serve 87 houses and over 300 people.
The Team:
Our team is currently hard at work on collaborating with engineers on pump selection, plumbing, final adjustments to the distribution system, and a waste water system. We are made up of students from various different majors, including but not limited to Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Anthropology, and Sociology. We have project and design meetings every week as well as quarterly social events.
Nicaragua Project Timeline
2005
Nicaragua Team Founded
The Nicaragua Team was founded and became the second project team in EWB-CP history.
2007
Water Storage Project
The team builds a water storage in the summer and distribution system that the Nueva Vida Health Clinic can use as a backup supply
2009
Implementation Trip (2009-2010)
Groups of students went on implementation trips to plan the structural shell of the clinic, and built the foundation, retaining wall, slab, exterior walls, interior shear walls, and roof for clinic.
2012
Project Completion: Health Clinic
The team returned in the summer to the community to test the water quality, and finished the Health Clinic Project.
2014
Monitoring Trip
A monitoring trip was conducted to make repairs to the latrine molds, and continue educational workshops in the spring.
2016
Assessment Trip
Travel team analyzed topographical maps, performed water quality testing, and bonded with community during the summer.
2018
Trip Cancelled and Project Start
For the summers of 2018 and 2019, Nicaragua team is unable to travel due to political tensions and civil unrest in the capital and throughout the country. Despite this, a well site is drilled, and construction of the distribution system has begun.
2020
Water Quality Testing
The team conducted water quality testing to determine contaminants of concern. After multiple rounds of testing the team determined chlorination would be sufficient to treat contaminants. The NGO finished construction of the distribution system.
2022
Further Implementation
Electrical work to bring electricity to the well site for powering the pump has begun. Pump house design to be implemented by a contractor in Nicaragua. A community survey, to gather community input on final design elements, will be remotely conducted.
2006
Partnership: Nueva Vida
Partnership with the community of Nueva Vida was formed during Spring Quarter
Assessment Trip
Fall Quarter, students went on an assessment trip to the community to assess issues with a health clinic’s water supply
2008
Partnership: Camilo Ortega
Spring Quarter, Nicaragua team began its partnership with the community of Camilo Ortega and met with its members to propose and discuss potential projects.
Assessment Trip
The team went on an assessment trip in September and gathered technical data for the construction of health clinic site.
2011
Assessment Trip
In spring, Nicaragua team went on another assessment trip to survey land, test soil, collect technical data for clinic, and assess the issue of erosion. Afterwards, the team began designs for erosion control.
Monitoring Trip
A group of students went on a monitoring trip during Winter Quarter and conducted a building inspection for the clinic, and instructional workshops for safety in the community.
2013
Assessment Trip
The Nicaragua team returned to Camilo Ortega during Spring Quarter to assess another need within the community. Data was collected for a latrine census, and the previous structure and sanitation of the previous latrine system was assessed.
Implementation Trip
During summer, the team traveled to construct latrine molds and implement educational workshops.
2015
Partnership: Cuajachillo
In winter, the partnership with the community of Cuajachillo was created, and assessments were made for potential projects.
2017
Assessment Trip
In Spring Quarter, an assessment trip was conducted to get the final measurements for the design and educate the community more on water filtration and the system they owned.
Partnership End
This close out trip ended the partnership with Cuajachillo in summer due to politics and lack of funding.
Partnership: La Rinconada
During that same summer, Nicaragua team visits La Rinconada for the first time to meet the community.
2019
Implementation Design
Nicaragua design team is working on the design and implementation of a water tank, pump house, water quality, and other components to get the water distribution system online.
2021
Tank Construction
A water storage tank was constructed by a contractor in Nicaragua. The team received daily work reports and photos of the construction process. Tap stands at each household were built by community members. The team completed pump house design completed with the help of a structural mentor.
Join Team Nicaragua
