Clean Water in Boaco (Solar Water Pumps)
In Nicaragua, only 62% of the total population has access to clean drinking water. Even more alarming, the UNDP reports that 80% of the rural population of Nicaragua does not have access to safe water. The dry regions of Nicaragua are subject to drought and as water levels decline, traditional hand dug wells cannot reach appropriate depths. Solar water pumps can reach deeper, cleaner water. In recognition of our success replicating solar water pumps in Nicaragua, we were awarded an Energy Globe Award for providing sustainable development.
SOLAR WATER PUMP PROJECTS BY YEAR
2007 Bramadero and 2009 Sumzapote
Partner: AsoFénix
Service: Potable Water Delivery, Health and Sanitation
Technology: Solar Water Pumps and Pit Latrines
People Served: 600
Additional Information:
Prior to the solar pumps, the wells dredged up muddy water during the wet season and little or no water during the dry months. Women had to haul buckets up to 5 km from a neighboring community. The projects also integrated watershed restoration, construction of patio-gardens, drip irrigation systems and pit latrines.
2006 Potreritos
Partner: AsoFénix
Service: Potable Water Delivery
Technology: Solar Water Pump, 5,000-7,000 Gallons/Day
People Served: 500
Funding Partners: These projects were generously supported by the HIVOS, Body Shop Foundation, Atkinson Foundation, and the Fundo de Inversion Social de Emergenica.
Additional Information:
The pump delivers between 5,000-7,000 gallons of water per day and each resident is entitled to 10-14 gallons of water per day--5 to 10 times more than a resident could carry before the pump was installed.
2004 Candelaria (Pilot Project)
Partner: AsoFénix
Service: Potable Water Delivery
Technology: Solar Water Pump
People Served: 260
Additional Information:
The success of the Candelaria project raised the interest of neighboring communities in Testuepe as well as the water authority, local NGOs and others excited to use solar power to address the water needs of more rural Nicaraguans.
Health and Sanitation Education:
All of the solar water pumps were paired with a health and sanitation course that educated the communities on how to prevent the transmission of water-borne illnesses. The education campaign in the Testuepe Region also included construction of small gates (barrandas) to keep pigs and chickens from entering homes, and promoted hand-washing and the bathing of children. In Candelaria, the local water utility requested that each family participate in latrine and barranda construction prior to connecting the water tap to ensure better sanitation.
"It is beyond description to get across what it means to a community living in extreme heat with nearly no water, to suddenly get good, clean water. It is a huge transformation.
When we left town, everywhere you looked, there was laundry on the lines - since this was the first time in a while they could afford to use their water to wash their clothes. At the time, the water in the river was very low, quite muddy, and barely moving."
-Walt Ratterman, former GE Program Manager, Candelaria, 2004.
