The Nebraska Professionals chapter is proud to be the first to set up an EWB program in Colombia. The community of Malagana in Mahates, Bolívar has a population of approximately 8,000 and is located about an hour inland from Cartagena. EWB-NE first traveled to Malagana in August 2016.

The objectives of the first Assessment Trip were to perform water quality tests throughout the community, conduct interviews with residents to better understand the community’s needs, and facilitate discussions between the non-governmental organization (NGO), community based organization (CBO), and other community stakeholders. The following priorities were identified:

• Potable water quality

• Sanitation

• Reliability of electricity

Water Quality

Historical water quality analysis indicated high levels of salts and minerals, and occasionally coliforms. While bacteria has been found within the water system, it became much less common after a chlorination system was installed in the community’s two wells in 2009.

Samples tested for basic potable water quality parameters fell within Colombian and US water quality standards, including parameters for hardness, coliforms, and E. coli. Only alkalinity (CaCO3) tested out of range at 293 mg/liter, where the limits are up to 200 mg/liter. Overall, the quality of the potable water in Malagana was found to be acceptable.

Sanitation

Malagana does not have an existing wastewater collection system or wastewater treatment plant. However, the community estimates that 90% of households have individual septic tanks. These septic tanks typically include concrete walls, cover, and an open bottom to allow infiltration. Some septic tanks have outlet piping that discharges into nearby canals, streets, or directly to the ground.

The community has three main stormwater concrete canals located throughout town, each running in parallel to the northwest, discharging to rural farmland. Each household is directly connected for domestic grey water discharge, but it is presumed that the canals also receive septic discharges occasionally as well.

Due to the construction of local septic tanks, it is possible that septic waste leaches into the groundwater, leading to potential cross-contamination. During interviews with the school board and other citizens, sanitation was voiced as a top priority for investigation and implementation.

Reliability of Electricity

Though most of the community is wired for electricity, service is not continuous or reliable. Power outages are common and can create safety concerns at night. Additionally, the cost of electricity in Malagana is high. Due to subsidiary costs supported by the government, the school was asked to remove AC units in the classrooms to cut costs. They have expressed interested in sustainable energy alternatives, namely solar panels.

Data Collection and Verifications

In December 2017, the Nebraska Professionals chapter returned to Malagana to prioritize community projects and goals, implement a WASH program for community members, and collect data, including community interviews, water quality tests, and topographic survey of the community to facilitate design.

Interviews with the community confirmed that the highest priority is addressing sanitation collection and treatment issues, as this is a significant source of illness for community members. Clarification was also provided regarding the potable water such as the well and disinfection operations and it was determined that addressing well pump site conditions and improving pumping operations was the second highest priority project. The third priority project identified by the community was to create reliable electricity, including lighting to ensure safety in public recreation areas.

WASH

A Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program was implemented to three separate audiences – a general group of adults in the community, school students, and community mothers. Activities were tailored to each group to educate on proper hand-washing techniques and hygiene related diseases. The sessions included hands-on activities to represent the spread of germs with UV dye and glitter and the effectiveness of proper hygiene practices.

Following the second assessment trip, the chapter started work on alternatives for wastewater improvement projects. A rehabilitation and training program for well operations and maintenance is also underway. In 2020, the chapter started work on an energy project to improve community lighting.

The Nebraska Professionals chapter completed its first International Community Program (ICP) near Kampala, Uganda. Despite its proximity to Lake Victoria, one of the sources of the headwaters of the Nile River and the second largest freshwater lake in the world, and an average annual rainfall of 48 inches, about 28% of the Ugandan population does not have access to clean drinking water. EWB-NE began working in with St. John XXIII Clinic and St. Kizito Preparatory School and first traveled to Uganda for an assessment trip in September 2010.

St. John XXIII Clinic

Following the assessment trip in 2010, the chapter designed a Rainfall Harvesting System (RHS) for St. John’s Clinic. The RHS collects rainwater from rooftops and other impervious structures and collects it in storage for later use. The St. John’s project also incorporated first-flush systems, which remove the first 0.5 millimeters of runoff from the roof in several vertical pipes. This increases the water quality, decreases the accumulation of silt and debris inside storage tanks, and reduces the maintenance required.

EWB-NE returned to Uganda in August 2011 to implement this system at St. John’s Clinic. The completed project provides water through all but two weeks of the dry seasons. During the rainy seasons, the tanks capture a surplus of water, which is sold to the community at a reduced rate. This system has a capacity of 40,000 liters (10,600 gallons) and includes 4 water storage tanks with two first-flush systems. With a cleaner and more reliable water source, the clinic now provides water for 4-6 staff and about 25 patients per day. Additionally, the clinic now has adequate water to be cleaned daily, helping reduce the spread of disease.

St. Kizito Preparatory School

In June 2013, EWB-NE returned to implement another RHS at St. Kizito Preparatory School. Before the RHS was installed, students walked 1 kilometer every day before class to gather enough water for the day from a nearby spring. Now, the RHS at St. Kizito provides enough water to support the school’s 260 students through the dry seasons without a shortage.

Through the RHS projects, EWB-NE was able to share technical knowledge and skills by engaging the community in the assessment, design, implementation, and construction phases of the project. After working with the chapter, the same community members have been able to replicate the system in other buildings within their facilities. Students and teachers at St. Kizito were trained on how the systems work and how water should be obtained. At St. John’s, a member of the community was appointed caretaker of the RHS and will continue to share operational knowledge and train others on the use of this technology.