Dual Update!

Up first, the Goal List from Natalie:

• Technical
  
  • Review current status of construction and document any changes made to plans
  • Assist with purchase of pipeline repair materials, document repairs made
  • Oversee pump installation
  • Once all construction is complete in the time that we are there, startup system.
  • Observe any problems and troubleshoot pump station and distribution tank shut off timings.

• Take more tests of water quality at various areas in the system
• Ensure that municipality and water committee members are in agreement about what needs to be done with the system. Review operation and maintenance of system.
• Agree on a revised timeline for the rest of construction, start up and water meter installation.
• Make presentations to students and community about water sanitation and conservation. Speak with teachers to incorporate these topics into future curriculum. Present new system to water committee.
• Document incidence of water related health issues from hospitals or town interviews.

Hi everyone, sorry for missing yesterday.

Highlights:

Sunday, July 31:

Rooftop breakfast at Black Cat Inn was phenomenal. Natalie had French toast and fruits, I had the Guatemalan breakfast, and Herbert had the omelet. Natalie almost was given two breakfasts. Herbert and I started on Sandy and Dave´s identical orders by accident. With initial guilt, we finished up breakfast purposefully.

We checked out of the Black Cat and headed out of Antigua to NSCI with Adrenalina Tours. On the way, we decided to take Sandy´s suggestion and stopped at Chichi for some shopping.

The street vendors bordered the streets. We were warned about keeping alert because of the crowds and narrow walking room. All went well, though. Dave had elite haggling skills and refused any initial offer. Natalie and Sandy got away with shiny deals, including some handmade jewelry. 

 

Our driver let us pick up lunch from a national chain truck before we left and it was as welcoming as any fast food: fries, Pepsi, and chicken sandwiches. With food and in-and-out napping, the four-hour drive from Antigua to NSCI was like no time at all that we were in the clouds on the mountain roads which Sandy described as perpetually in construction.

Once we reached NSCI, we met with the family, settled down, and made a brief walk through the community and saw the church, distribution tank, and intermediate tank.

We got some work done at the internet café and returned to Angel´s house. 

At night, the water committee made an impromptu visit to exchange introductions and updates, and make plans for the week. Herbert congratulated the water committee for having female members. It´s important to have different points of views in decision making from the entire community.

-Julian

Monday, August 1

Today was the first of many hikes. We went down to the upper pump station site early-- we left at 8 am. The terrain was pretty slippery because it was raining on and off so we had to take our time.

(More pictures soon!)

The community has been doing good work on the construction so far. Since we were last in the community they finished the construction of the upper and lower pump chambers, placed the pumps in both chambers and begun the drilling of holes for pipeline that will connect the wet wells to the pump chambers. We were able to get a look inside and we took inventory of what was installed. We spoke with Luiz, a member of the water committee, to understand what has been going on with the installation and what our expectations are. There is a lot that still needs to be completed before the technition from Hidasa (the company which acts as our contractor and supplier) comes in and installs the rest of the system components. Once the technition is able to do this, start up can happen. Some things that need to be completed are (our punch list):

1.      Install and program PLC

2.      Connect piping at Lower Pump Station to existing pipe

3.      Supply and install float valve for manual operations -discuss float valve installation and settings

4.      Supply and install pressure gauges on individualdischarge pipes and common discharge pipe

5.      Supply and install flexible couplings on individualsuction pipes (between the outer walls of the chambers)

6.      Provide wall sleeves and SIKA product for the suctionpipes

7.      Install 3” check valve on common discharge pipe

8.      Surge relief installation

a.       Connectsurge relief line from common 3” discharge pipe to the existing hole inthe electrical room (i.e. old discharge line from wet well), the air release(change elbow to a tee) or new hole in existing chamber.

b.      Drillhole in top slab of new chamber for surge relief line to exit if surge reliefvalve is installed inside the chamber

c.       Installsurge relief valve

9.      Install permanent pump pads and secure pump baseplatesto pads

10.  Discuss initial settings for pump operations and surgerelief valve

11.  Provide training of system controls and generalmaintenance of equipment

12.  Provide operations and maintenance manuals

13.  Provide complete wiring diagrams and schematics for allcontrollers, control panels, control devices and operators furnished

-Natalie