Chuchurras, Peru
Chuchurras, Peru Water Project
Project Location: Pasco Region of Peru
Community Name: Chuchurras
Project Type: Water Distribution System
Current Problem: The 500-person community in the Pasco Region of Peru has to manually collect unclean water from the local streams and river. These water sources are often scarce during the 3-month dry season. The only remaining flowing streams are contaminated with fecal matter, leading to health issues within the community.
Project Goal: The primary goal of the project is to provide a year-round source of clean and reliable water to the community. EWB-MN’s assessment trip in October 2018 showed a groundwater well would be the most effective solution to provide water to the community. The well and pump will be powered by solar panels to pump groundwater up to a water storage tank at the high point of the community. From there, a gravity distribution pipe network will be used to deliver the water to communal taps. To ensure the quality of the water, a chlorination treatment system will be used. All components will be designed and constructed to be the most cost-effective solution while also being sustainable for the community for years to come.
Current Phase: Well construction underway; design phase ongoing
Total Project Costs: $100,000
Trips Completed: Assessment trip September 2019
Proposed Trips: Implementation trip 2022
Rio Azul, Guatemala
Rio Azul High School Project
Project Location: Rio Azul, Quiche, Guatemala
Community Name: Aldea Rio Azul
Project Type: School
Community Impact: 2,000 people
Current Problem: The community does not have a building dedicated to a higher education level. Because of this, older students are sharing a building with the younger students. This shared space is inadequate due to the lack of physical spaces and the crossing of activities between the two educational levels.
Project Goal: Design and construct a new structure to be used as a high school for the community.
Current Phase: Phase I design complete; Phase I construction and Phase II design underway
Total Project Costs: $177,000
Proposed Trips: Implementation trip 2022
Patzac, Guatemala
Aldea Patzac School Project
Project Location: San Andrés Sajcabajá Municipality, Quiché Department, Guatemala
Community Name: Aldea Patzac
Project Type: School
Community Impact: 500 people, 45 elementary-aged students
Current Problem: The school structure, built from clay bricks, was jeopardized from decades of mild seismic activity and extreme erosion from the rainy seasons. Additionally, the Paztac community has outgrown the school and some children are not able to attend class. The existing pit latrines are not sanitary and difficult to use when assisting young children.
Project Goal: Phase 1 of the project involved designing, procuring, and construction of a new confined masonry school structure. Phase 1 took into account the mild seismic activity the region experiences. The new school was completed in summer 2020 with four rooms; for a total capacity of 60 kids. Phase 2 of the project included replacing the existing latrines and construction of the new retaining wall to stabilize the eroding slope that encroached on the new school.
Current Phase: Construction complete
Total Project Costs: $78,000
Trips Completed: Assessment trip March 2019; school foundation implementation November 2019
Proposed Trips: Monitoring trip 2022
Check out our implementation trip video
Colfax, WI Project
Colfax Library Project
Project Location: Colfax, Wisconsin
Project Type: Community building improvement
Community Impact: 1,200 people
Current Problem: The Colfax Public Library is an important building for the small community in western Wisconsin. Presently, the building can only be partially used because of water and electrical issues in the basement. Several vertical supports are holding up a structure that was not meant to hold the weight of the library. The building also lacks proper accessibility, making it difficult for all members of the community to enter the building and get from floor to floor.
Project Goal: EWB-MN provided an engineering assessment plan. The plan included the work needed to be done to make the entire building accessible. Additionally, it included the costs associated with the work so the community could receive grants and remodel the building. The project focused on providing engineering evaluations and recommendations. There was no construction phase.
Current Phase: Draft report submitted to CE Corps
Trips Completed: Assessment trip October 2019
Beacon interfaith housing
Beacon Interfaith Housing Project
Project Location: St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN
Project Type: Energy Audits
Community Impact: 340 units, 12 properties. Approximately 700 people (assuming only two people per unit).
Current Problem: Beacon Interfaith is a non-profit organization that aims to provide affordable, supportive, and dignified housing to people in the Twin Cities. Our team will work with Beacon to develop and analyze energy audits for many of their properties.
Project Goal: The energy audits will not only allow Beacon to reduce their carbon footprint, but also save money on utilities and taxes, furthering the vision that all people have a home.
Current Phase: Phase 1
Proposed Trips: Phase 2 fall 2021
Division of indian Work
Division of Indian Work Project
Project Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Project Type: Solar panel system review, rainwater catchment system design, and composting system
Community Impact: "Division of Indian Work's mission is to support and strengthen urban American Indian people through culturally-based education, traditional healing approaches, and leadership development." EWB's work will support this effort.
Current Problem: Partnering with the Division of Indian Work, this project will involve the review of a solar panel system to ensure it is working to capacity. Additionally, a rainwater catchment system for gardening will be designed, and a composting system will be installed.
Project Goal: Review of solar panel system to ensure it is working to capacity and design of rainwater catchment system for gardening, and a compositing system will be installed.
Current Phase: Work through CE Corps process and research