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 The water purification plant project began with a collaboration between Varsity Bible Church (Calgary, Alberta), El Camino Church, Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation (USA) and the Dominican organization Aguas de Unidad. Filters were installed and a kiosk was set up, offering pure drinking water for 10 pesos a jug, 74% cheaper than the price offered by nearby stores. It has been a source of incalculable benefits for the community, providing a central necessity and a healthy future.
The barrio of Maria Auxiliadora is faced with a high risk of dengue fever- due to unsanitary conditions- and many also suffer from malnutrition and thirst, drinking far less water than their bodies need to function well. For this reason, the Aguas de Unidad station at El Camino is an invaluable source of aid to those living in the barrio, satisfying their immediate physical needs and also creating a connection with the local church, who provides holistic care for the needs of their community.
Biosand water filters have also been provided to individual homes in Maria Auxiliadora. These filters were provided as part of a partnership between Add Your Light Charitable Foundation, Rotary Clubs and donors from Calgary, Alberta. The clean water from these filters is making a key difference in the health of these individuals.
The Soto Water Project
 The Aim: To install a self-sustaining water well, purification and distribution system for a community of up to 7,000 people who now lack access to clean water. The system will supply potable drinking water in 5-gallon containers at an affordable price. This will help reduce sickness caused by drinking and cooking with water drawn from shallow ground-water wells that are often contaminated by nearby outdoor latrines.
The Location: In the Soto barrio, a small primarily Haitian community in the center of the Dominican Republic near the city of La Vega. Land will be purchased some distance from outdoor latrines and a deep well will be drilled to source clean water to supply the new system.
The Start-up: To begin distributing affordable potable water during the second quarter of 2011. The system will offer distribution to local residents of Soto. Local Haitians will be trained and employed, ensuring a sustainable resource within the community.
The Investment: US$60,000 of which US$5,500 has already been raised by local, Canadian and American donors.
The Impact: Improved overall health for the residents of Soto including Haitian children in a primary school who are using the church facilities nearby for classrooms.
Project Sponsors: TEARS Ministries Inc, (www.tears.org), a Dominican Republic based 501(c)3 charity, and Partners In Deed (www.partnersindeed.org), a Canadian registered charity, have partnered to raise funding and to oversee the project’s successful implementation as part of their long-term development plans in the Dominican Republic.
Project Description
The Soto community (located in central region of the Dominican Republic near La Vega) depends on shallow wells for their water supply. Nearby latrines often contaminate the water. This water project involves producing potable water from a deeper well located far enough away from contaminated ground water. This system is similar in design to the current system that is operating successfully at El Camino in the neighbouring community of Maria Auxilliadora whom we have partnered with in the past. The water will be sold in 5 gallon jugs. Soto residents are mostly Haitian immigrants and refugees from the recent Haitian earthquake.
The project involves: purchasing the land, putting up a few small buildings for the equipment, bringing in electricity to the site; installing a well pump and piping to these buildings; purchasing, installing and operating the osmosis purification system including up to 5 filters, appropriate potable-water storage tanks, and a water jug inventory and related disposables. The overall project has distinct stages, the first of which is to purchase adjacent land at a cost of US$10,000. Timelines for implementation are dependent on funding. Start-up is expected during the early summer of 2011. The overall project is estimated to cost up to $60,000. and should be financially self-sustaining within 12 to 18 months from start-up.
The following represents the subsequent stages and associated tasks for developing the water system:
Establish water source US$ 3,000 |
Drill well, install down-hole casing and pumps, test water for quality and purification process needed to meet local health authority standards. |
Construct and service buildings US$18,200 |
Construct cement building for underground cistern for raw well water and to house purification equipment, construct a distribution center, install underground piping to all buildings, install electrical. |
Equipment purchase and installation US$22,000 |
Design system based on water quality, and purchase install, test and commission water purification equipment. |
Training US$1,500 |
Technical training of local employees will continue over 4 months from commissioning . Technical support will be provided by a local contractor and by experienced El Camino staff. |
Operating Supplies US$1,500 |
Purchase inventory of 5-gallon jugs, tops, cleaners, filters, etc.. |
System start-up and marketing US$1,000 |
Purify and test water so it meets the health requirements of local authorities prior to start-up. Marketing will be supported by El Camino staff. |
Project Management and contingency US$2,000 |
Rod Davis, Director of TEARS Ministries Inc. is responsible for the on-site project management. He is assisted in this task by Mr Hector Julio, pastor of the Soto Church. Partial funding in kind has been provided by the local government, water drilling firms, and individuals, and El Camino with surplus profits that are designated for assisting other communities. |
Additional information: In the USA, please contact Mr. Rod Davis, Project Manager through the TEARS web site or by email (Rodrigo@tears.org). Rod resides in the Dominican Republic and can also be reached at (809) 449-3081.
In Canada, please contact Don Dufault via email at: dondufault@partnersindeed.com or at (403) 288-9661. Updates will also be posted at www.partnersindeed.org.
Download a PDF describing the Soto Water Project
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