Clean Water and Sanitation Program
Case Studies: Quang Nam Province

Dinh Phuoc Hamlet
Tam Nghia Commune

Average monthly income: $20
Hamlet Population: 3,420 people

The Need for Clean Water

Dinh Phuoc hamlet is located in the south of Quang Nam Province, about 100 km from Da Nang and 200m from Chu Lai Military base. The hamlet where the water project was built has 760 households (3,420 people). Of these 50% are farmers, 40% small businesspeople, and 10% officials. The average monthly per capita income is $20.

Lack of safe water in the area is a serious problem. In one area near the primary school, the water was riddled with sediment. In general, the hamlet had an abundant quantity but the quality of the water was poor; it contains lots of iron and sediments.

The local authorities reported that almost all the water in the area contained sediments and was polluted from the fields into the river. As a result, the local people did not have clean water to drink and or for daily hygienic needs.

Potable water was taken mostly from the drilled 15m deep wells in the hamlet. The local people used water taken from wells contaminated with rust-colored sediments for bathing and cooking. During May through September, the few that had clean water could not keep up with the demand and were often dry. Many people who drank the dirty water became sick, usually due to intestinal problems.

Access was a also a huge problem. They have to fetch water from far away so that their families will have sufficient water for their daily needs. This was a time-consuming process which took away time that could be spent by children studying and adults performing income-generating tasks.

Implementation

After receiving the request for a clean water system project for the Dinh Phuoc hamlet from the People’s Committee of Nui Thanh province, EMW had a meeting with local people to hear the needs and concerns of the people of Dinh Phuoc hamlet.

After the meeting, it was agreed that EMW would locate a clean water source adequate to supply the entire community. Also, EMW would have the water tested to make sure it did not contain any harmful bacteria or chemicals before the project was implemented. EMW agreed to supply materials and build the water tower and well, and provide water pump, pipe, electrical system, main water pipes and related material, and oversee the supervisors and water managers, and send them directly to the site. Finally, EMW would hand over control of the entire water project once the project was completed and examined to insure it was ready for turnover.

The local People’s committee accepted responsibility to complete all procedures and formalities connected with the draft at the earliest possible convenience. They had to select a board of managers, obtain permits to construct a water tower, store pipe and provide electricity, etc. and choose a water manager before the work would start. This manager would take part in the project from the beginning to understand how the system works.

The responsibilities of the residents of the village involved digging the main trench and laying the pipe. In addition, they must purchase a water meter and enough pipe to connect their home to the main pipeline. Finally, they must pay for all the water they use once the water system is up and running. This money will be used to pay the water manager and the electric bill for the water system as well as saving a portion in a fund for emergencies later on. As of the end of October, 2005, 201 of the 261 households in the area had signed on for the water system, and the remaining 60 households will hook up to the safe water system at the end of this year, 2005.

Community Contribution

The community contributed in many ways. The regional government took care of the required procedures and paperwork and permits so that the project could move forward. They also appointed a water manager to oversee the system, collect money, and perform maintenance on the system as needed. The villagers donated a day to dig and backfill the main trench. They also purchased water meters and the pipe needed to connect their homes to the water main network.

Construction Description

A water tower, 7,143 galloon capacity, 11m high
Two 14 m deep drilled wells
An electrical system
Two water pumps, 1 HP to pump water from wells to water tower
6,800 meters of piping and fittings

Project Timeline

The project was began May 14, 2005 and finished on October 2, 2005.

Comparison with other EMW Water Projects

EMW had already drilled two (2) test wells to test the water quality in Dinh Phuoc Hamlet and the water been proved to be clean.

The plan for the lay out of the pipe was given to EMW to ensure accuracy. The job of digging and backfilling the main trench faced some difficulties because the local people did not initially show enthusiastic response to the project. In the first days of digging the main trench, around 40 laborers performed the work, but after a few days, the quantity of people working at the site lessened dramatically. This issue affected the completion of the trench digging for the main pipe. It took nearly two months to finish digging the trench and installing the main pipe.

Moreover, the new and improved design of the water container also aided the construction. In the old design, brick and concrete were used on both sides of the water container for support. In the new design, the water container is composed of concrete wrapped in wire. Before, the water tank was built with brick and rendered with mortal. The old tank could cause water leaks. Now with its new design built with ferrous- concrete, the structure of a water tower is stronger and safer. It can reduce dramatically water penetration and lossage out of the wall of water tank.

Projected Outcomes

As a result of this clean water project in Dinh Phuoc Hamlet, EMW has given the people a very important opportunity for their future health. The incidence of water borne diseases will surely be lessened, the health of the children will improve and life expectancy will increase.

In addition, household income will increase due to the time saved by bringing the water directly into the house. With a modest investment in the water project, much more money can be saved on the amount of medicine that would be needed to treat the various water borne illnesses that currently afflict the local population. Children will have more time for school that could lower the dropout rates as well as open up new opportunities for the next generation through schooling.

Recommendations/Lessons Learned

EMW will sponsor a workshop for all water managers of EMW water projects. By coming together, the various water managers can share their expertise and experiences with one another and thereby improve the clean water program as a whole.

Finding a source of clean water large enough for the entire commune was a long and arduous process. EMW found a cheaper and more effective method of testing the water on site to save time and money in the future. When an adequate supply of water was found, EMW determined the desire for the water project before moving forward.

Site supervisors always work at a site in order to solve problems as they arise effectively and efficiently. They should make the schedule of implementation for the worker team so that the local government and the worker team can participate in the implementation of the project effectively and efficiently.