We have had an amazing spring with the water project and are happy to provide the following updates.

The team started with the construction of the water intake which collects fresh spring water from the source and funnels that into an intake structure which feeds the pipeline.  This water is crystal clear and has been tested to meet EPA levels for drinking.  The intake structure is located in a protected forest area so we took great precautions in design and construction to make sure no harm was done to the surrounding environment.

Next was the challenge of hand-digging a trench 7 km long from the intake structure to the Urkai School.  It was unbelievable to see the support from the local villagers who came out and hand dug this.  The villagers completed most of the work in less than 1 week!  The students from the Uraki Secondary School were a big help with this along with hundreds of others.

Next up was the construction of a 135 cubic meter reservoir tank, which is located about 30% of the way down the pipeline.  The purpose of the reservoir tank is to accumulate excess water for peak demand periods as well as building overall pressure in the pipeline.  This was a big task that is almost complete after 5 weeks of work.  Summit4water is very grateful to the family who owned the land where the tank was to be constructed.  They donated their land for the good of the community.

Now we are laying the pipes from the 135 cubic meter reservoir tank down to the Uraki School.  These are about 50% completed and the pipes should be in the ground by the middle of April.

There is another smaller reservoir tank which needs to be built close to the school.  This will be constructed during April and early May with the hope and expectation that water will be flowing to the school shortly thereafter.

The Summit4water team will be back in June and cant wait to share a celebration glass of water with the team!

Article source: http://www.summit4water.org/?p=718