O V E R V I E W
Las Pencas and Las Mesas are two neighboring communities in Estelí, Nicaragua, found in the northwestern region of the country. Both communities are less than an hour from La Trinidad, where the local government is based. They produce beans, maize, chia seed, and flax seed, and also raise cattle. Las Pencas has 96 households and 375 inhabitants, while Las Mesas has 40 households and 133 inhabitants.
A small sector of the community goes to work for the government in La Trinidad, but the neighborhoods are largely agricultural. A recently improved paved road facilitates transport between the communities and La Trinidad year-round. The communities are home to a Catholic Church, an evangelical church, and an elementary school, but lack a health clinic. As a result, community members need to travel to La Trinidad or Chaguite Blanco for health care. Currently there is a gravity water system built in 1995 by INAA-COSUDE. The system has a spring box, a pipeline of approximately 26m in length, a tank of approximately 9 cubic meters with a model CTI-8 chlorinator on top, and a distribution network for public water stations. |
The main challenge for both communities is the lack of sufficient, safe water for drinking and other household activities. Although the water source is defined, there are some issues. Primarily, the water is not equitably available to all community members. As stated above, there are newer developments within sectors of each community that are not connected to the current water system in any way. Those that do receive water in the community of Las Mesas receive untreated water. Furthermore, the current system works with public taps, while the communities are requesting household taps to service daily functions.
The community has complained to CAPS several times regarding these water issues. They call the secretary of the committee regularly—particularly during the dry season—to issue complaints regarding the lack of service. During annual general assembly meetings, community members have called for an improved water system several times, demonstrating both a desire and an investment in this project.
The community has complained to CAPS several times regarding these water issues. They call the secretary of the committee regularly—particularly during the dry season—to issue complaints regarding the lack of service. During annual general assembly meetings, community members have called for an improved water system several times, demonstrating both a desire and an investment in this project.
The proposed scope includes technical and financial support to improve the existing water source and distribution network throughout the communities of Las Pencas and Las Mesas. The goal is to redesign the system using the current source. This includes reconstruction of the existing spring box to increase water output by capturing all the additional water that flows out from its sides.
The project will also incorporate construction of a new water storage tank - placed at a higher elevation - to accommodate a greater capacity given the growth of the community, including the 15 houses currently not being serviced. Additionally, it will require a new distribution network that outputs water to household taps. The community has also requested service meters to support the 136 houses and select animal husbandry practices. It will likely require the replacement of some of the existing piping, since the current pipes are almost 30 years old. |
September 2023 Updates
Our team of talented student engineers are working hard to sift through and analyze survey data in order to optimize and finalize our design.
Looking to get involved? E-mail us at nicaragua.ewb[email protected]