¡Buenos Dias from sunny Iscozacin, Peru! And how crucial the sun was today, being that power was intentionally cut across Peru's Pasco region for grid maintenance. Electrical supply work notwithstanding, our water supply work marches on in Chuchurras.
After a hearty breakfast and the rambling dirt road commute, we arrived in Santa Rosa just after 9 am. Wasting little time, we proceeded to the reservoir pavilion in San Francisco where we inspected the 10,000-liter tank. Because water levels will fluctuate in the tanks during periods of normal operation, the tanks must include a hole to receive inflow and another orifice for overflow (in addition to the existing outlet at the bottom of the structure). Thus, we discussed with Benjamin how best to cut these holes into the tanks (and where), taking safety and contamination into consideration.
Soon after, we broke into two teams. Chris, Derek, Brian Rivers, and Ricardo would head down to the well house in Santa Rosa to sort out the chlorination system while Paige, Rena, Brian Roth, Sarai, and Benjamin would stay in San Francisco to begin setting up the distribution system.
At the Santa Rosa well house, the team cleaned the building's interior, took inventory of pipe junctions left from the 2023 trip, assembled the chlorine system (a "dry-fit"), and even encountered a few new friends (ask us about the 'Zilla Roach). To determine the optimal location of the chlorination system, we consulted with Ricardo about which orientation would suit future operators best. Because the treatment system will be elevated, it was settled that the treatment componentry and flow control units will be mounted along the east wall, above an existing platform. The platform will be expanded and retrofitted with a ladder and railing with appropriate fall protection measures.
Up in San Francisco, the team made considerable progress on a couple of tasks. First, the team began allocating 15-foot sections of conduit along the new trenches dug on the northeastern edge of the project area by Marc Antony, the backhoe operator. Later in the afternoon, the team began connecting the PVC pipes, teaching our Peruvian counterparts about the effectiveness of using both primer and glue, while demonstrating the importance of personal protection equipment (PPE) while handling volatile and noxious chemicals. In all, the team conjoined an impressive 700 feet of conduit!
However, perhaps the most important accomplishment of the day was achieved by doing the work with our community partners. While attaching the ends of the PVC pipe, the team was required to press each pipe end together for 30 seconds. Rather than passing the time idly, Rena and Paige saw an opportunity to teach Ricardo some English numbers while they counted out their hold. Next, Sarai chipped in with her own count of Spanish numbers. Finally and most unexpectedly, Ricardo then reciprocated this cultural exchange by teaching Rena, Sarai, and Paige numbers in the indigenous language of Yanesha!
The team wrapped up the day by moving all the conduit from the wellhouse up to San Francisco while Brian Roth completed laying out the new reservoir pipe connections (a task easier said than done). On our way home, we witnessed San Francisco children competing in a local tradition, scrambling to the top of a shaved tree trunk (one young lad reached the top as we passed). Back in Iscozacin, the power eventually returned during a candle-lit dinner at the local Chifa joint and we're enjoying the small luxury of a cool, starry night.
Tomorrow promises to be eventful, so tune in again!
Brian Rivers
EWB- Minnesota Professional Chapter
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