On June 28th, 2021 a small team composed of Kyle Becker, Jared Benoît, Michael Johnson, our translator Juan Carlos, and myself, conducted an interview with the administrator of a water distribution system in rural El Salvador. I prefaced the interview stating our desire to learn from Maria, the administrator, with regard to how the system was installed and how it operates so as to potentially apply methods utilized in this system for future systems we’d like to install in other regions of the world. Contextually, this region of El Salvador is impoverished and provides a good case study for how a successful water distribution system can be set up in impoverished environments. Maria willingly accommodated our questions, and provided a wealth of knowledge - we learned so much from her!
Maria shared that their water distribution system was installed 16 years ago by a group of NGOs (Non Government Organizations) and Government agencies. The system consists of 882 connections (homes). They have 2 storage tanks to which they pump water in order to effectively distribute. There are 14 different communities receiving water from this distribution system at various points in the day. We learned that no individual community has access to the water system 24 hours a day. Rather, each community has a designated amount of time in which water is run to it, whereby people can collect. The system has one well that is about 600 feet deep and pumps roughly 240 gallons per minute. 40% of the operation costs are paid by constituents paying their water bill each month. The remaining 60% of operation cost is covered by the Salvadoran government. This is helpful to know as we make considerations for developing water systems in other impoverished areas.
I asked Maria, “What was it like to collect water when you were a child, before the distribution system was installed?” She shared with us that she would walk 3 kilometers to fill up containers with water to bring home. This task would take her about 1.5 hours to complete one trip to and from the water source to her home. This was a very time-consuming and difficult task for her growing up.
I then asked Maria, “What was it like when the water distribution system was installed for the community?” Her eyes got big, her countenance changed and exuded joy. Those of us there at the interview can testify to how her demeanor changed and expressed sincere elation. Maria went on to share how this water distribution system had changed everything for them. She remembered when a water line was first brought to her house, and how having water at the house saved hours of time per day that used to be spent on collecting water for the family. This changed everything for this family, they gained several hours per day to put towards other life necessities.
Hearing Maria’s testimony of how this water distribution system has changed her life, and many others’ lives, further fuels our desire to see change in other regions of the world who have yet to experience the joy of having water piped directly to their homes. Thank you, Maria, for being willing to share with us about your current water distribution system-and its operations. But more so, thank you for your willingness to share your personal story with us on how having piped water to your home has changed your life.
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