El Salvador Project Summary

EWB-Philly partnered with Project FIAT to improve the existing water system in Las Delicias, El Salvador. The existing system was expensive to operate, did not provide water to all residents, and was contaminated in certain areas. By installing an 18,000 gallon tank at a lower elevation, EWB-Philly was able to lower energy costs by 12% and ensure that there was enough water to reach all community members. Clay water filters were also introduced which effectively removed all bacteria and improved water taste. Overall, the community of Las Delicias and the Philadelphia Professional Chapter viewed this project as a major success!

Community Background and Project Need

The community of Las Delicias is made up of about 600 homes and 3000 people situated on the western slopes of the San Salvador Volcano about 15 miles northwest of San Salvador, the capital of El Salvado. The community sees high levels of poverty with an average worker income of $10/week. While Las Delicias has an existing pump, three water tanks, and a distribution system, many families still struggle to access reliable and potable sources of water. This is due to the high operational cost of the water system, and contaminants in the distribution piping leading to sickness and disease.

EWB-Philly partnered with Project FIAT, a faith based service organization, to bring water system improvements to the residents of Las Delicias. Project FIAT is run by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and works primarily in El Salvador to improve communities. EWB-Philly’s primary goals were to reduce the operational cost of the water system, improve the water quality, and ensure more equitable access to water across the community.

Assessment Phase

EWB-Philly had two assessment trips to Las Delicias, one in July 2010 and the other in November 2011. These trips were critical to collect data on the existing pumps, conduct interviews with community members, and perform a geographic survey on the distribution system & surrounding area.

Additionally, these assessment trips were critical to strengthen the partnership between EWB-Philly and Las Delicias. Many residents were enthusiastic about the Chapter’s presence in the community and were excited to share their knowledge about the water system. The travel team also got to explore the resourcefulness of community members who found their own water sources, such as homemade rainwater catchment systems.

Implementation Phase

Six implementation trips were completed between 2012 and 2014. Three implementation trips took place in 2012 to install a new 18,000 gallon storage tank, and train community members on how to maintain and operate the tank. By placing the new storage tank at a lower elevation, less pumping was required to serve the same number of community members.

On later implementation trips, the team installed a VFD (variable frequency drive) motor on one of the pumps in an effort to maximize pump efficiency. EWB-Philly also distributed clay filtration systems to community members with contaminated water sources. One clay filter was provided to a K-9 school with approximately 600 students.

Monitoring & Evaluation Phase

EWB-Philly visited Las Delicias for the last time in 2016 to assess the project and formally close out the partnership. Overall, the project was deemed a great success! The modifications to the pumping and storage system resulted in 12% energy savings, reducing the cost of water for all community members. The clay filters effectively removed bacteria and improved the taste of the water. EWB-Philly provided community members training on how to operate & maintain the water system, with Project FIAT promising to continue to support Las Delicias well into the future.