Water System Implementation

Thank you for reading this blog! The latest update from EWB-Princeton Peru - Our team is about to embark once again to Samne, this time to implement our first project, a potable water system for the caserio of La Pitajaya. We will be posting updates this summer as the project progresses. You can follow us at the new blog site: http://ewb.princeton.edu/?q=peru-blog Wish us luck!

Tech Overview

Now that Tom and I (the last of the tech team) have made it home, it seems a good time to go over what we accomplished along with Leo and Emily during the past three weeks. In this time, we all have been busy getting our hands dirty in trash, sewage and cold, hard science (all while wearing gloves and sometimes Tyvek suits, of course). Here’s a rundown:

1. Trash Characterization

Starting off, we were interested in two projects: a sanitary landfill and a sewage system. So, we began our trip by scouting and discovering Samne’s current systems in place of these. What we found was pretty surprising. For trash, there were a total of 8 sites totaling an estimated 225 cubic meters of trash dumped around the town! Most of these sites were cliffs alongside the Rio Moche where people would just simply come by to toss trash. Foul smell and insects invariably accompanied. Foul smell and insects that we ignored while digging through the trash to characterize and weigh it. Our valiant and somewhat grimy efforts showed us that most of the waste is plastic, though everything from organics to med-waste was found dumped at the sites around town. Some seemed to be regularly burned while others seemed to still have waste from a while back. Out of sight, out of mind was clearly the general perspective on trash.

2. Sewage Testing

Sewage dumpsites were very similar. The pipes going through town were all dumped out through three open pipes at the edge of town. Tests with the Imhoff Cone showed a definite presence of “settleable solids” (read: “poop”). A couple other tests confirmed contamination and no means of treatment. A trip to a nearby small city, Otuzco, a couple days later, however, informed us that government plans to develop a sewage treatment system by oxidation ponds have been confirmed. Though not the most efficient or effective method, this is a definite step in the right direction; however, it means that we handled dirty sewage water while the problem is already being taken care of. Well, we got some useful information about the town, and only one of us got sewage on himself (cough, Leo).

3. River Water Testing

Considering all of these dump sites along with the decades of mining waste dumped upstream of Samne, we decided it was also important to test the water quality of the Rio Moche both upstream and downstream of the pueblo. What we found was that the river water was hard and alkaline with a high pH – all corresponding results. Interestingly, other tests such as those for nitrates and phosphates did not yield extraordinary results. This meant that the river was not polluted in some of the ways we expected. Looking inside and even overturning rocks, however, showed that there were no signs of life except in still ponds where another water source flowed in. Talking to the people of Samne, we learned that some generations ago, the same river was teeming with fish all year long. This tells us that chemicals (possibly arsenic or mercury) for which we did not have testing materials have polluted the river over the years and made it unsuitable for marine life.

4. Samne Drinking Water Analysis

We also conducted similar water tests on the drinking water of Samne once we started talking to the community and considering other community projects. Somewhat disturbingly, we found traces of fecal coliform in the drinking water. Turns out that regularly boiling drinking water was probably a good decision on our part! We also oversaw the routine maintenance of the water source and got a look at their spring boxes and reservoirs. Apparently, the town currently dumps chlorine into the water once a month, all at once. Monitoring the chlorine levels showed us that the day this was done, the levels were out of control. Just two days later, though, there was almost no residual chlorine left. Changes clearly need to be made to this system. One interesting observation this brings up is that while the townspeople of Pitajaya, who get their river from the contaminated Rio Moche, say they try to chlorinate when they can, their system must be even less effective. All the more confirmation of the urgency of a potable water project there.

5. Bridge Diagramming

After realizing how important a more stable bridge, another possible project, will be to the town’s future growth, we also analyzed and diagrammed the current bridge. Though we were convinced of its terrible condition after seeing it dip in a sinusoidal manner every time a car went over it, we actually found that the parts were not rusted and seemed well maintained. The problem seems to be that it was not built for heavy cars to go over it and its 5-ton weight limit (according to Alan, the town mayor) is neared by the combis (small busses) that pass it daily.

6. Soil Testing

Finally, we also ran infiltrometer tests on beds of clay soil on plateaus right next to Samne. The low permeability of the soil we found there showed that they could serve as great liner material when a sanitary landfill project is undertaken in the community. Though the land does not belong to Samne, if these locally available materials can be used, it will make the project less expensive and more viable.

Overall, our work confirmed the necessity and viability of a number of projects in the town. As Samne develops, all the projects we have looked into will eventually need to be completed. Whether we work on them in our five years here or another group completes them at a later time, the data we have collected should provide a solid foundation for development. Meanwhile, we all had a blast hiking through the Andes and the Rio Moche to get data, all while being a part of some real life, outdoor scientific action!

Potential Projects!

Now that the festival of Santa Rosa is over, the streets of Samne are once again deserted as everyone has returned to work on the chacra or in the city. Normal life has resumed as per usual. And like the tourists who so quickly came and left, we too are saying our goodbyes, as today is our last day. As we finish packing and prepare to catch the 1pm combi (actually 2pm PST, Peruvian Standard Time), I thought I would fill you in on the various potential projects we have encountered during these past three weeks. 

1. El relleno sanitario - The landfill

Investigating the trash problem in Samne was the primary purpose of our trip, as we hoped to collect data and make preparations for the construction of a landfill next summer. Indeed we have discovered that the trash problem does exist; however as one usually finds in the field, plans often change, and the trash problem is one of many. (See the list of other potential projects below...) Through community surveying we have found that most people don't consider a landfill a priority, and a good number do not even know what a landfill is. Not everyone separates organic and inorganic waste, and (as we discovered ourselves) this leads to fly problems when trash is stored indoors. Thus for most people it is easier to dump their trash outside at communal dump sites, which are burned bimonthly. This ineffectual system is deeply ingrained into the mindset and daily routine of the people. Another hurdle that surfaced is obtaining the land for the project. Luckily Alan (the mayor) owns a sufficient plot far away from the river which could perhaps be used, and additionally the technical team found an impermeable clay region from which we could take soil for the landfill foundation. We have the tools but need more community support which would involve an extensive educational program, "capacitación" as it is called here.

2. El puente - The bridge

Currently Samne has two routes out of town: the bridge over the Moche River, which links to the paved road, and the long, winding dirt path down the mountain. For transportation of crops, tourists, and large vehicles, the bridge route is preferable. However the bridge's capacity is only 5 metric tons, according to Alan, and thus oftentimes farmers have to make multiple trips across to transport their entire harvest. Even so, when cars under the weight limit make their way across, the structure dips precariously, forming a kind of sine wave that makes you wonder how long it will last... Everyone in Samne agrees that a bridge project would greatly benefit the town, and it is the top priority of la Ronda Campesina, one of the community's most influential and organized groups. Alan however has said the municipality of Salpo has promised to build a new bridge for Samne. Other influential townspeople say that it is out of Salpo's jurisdiction to fund such a project. At this point our goal is to untangle this political web of confusion in order not to waste time considering a project that is already on someone else's agenda. 

3. El sistema de agua en Samne central - Improving Samne's existing potable water system

Many people gave mixed reviews about the potable water system already in place in Samne. Some say they have water all the time; others complain that it breaks monthly and the water is cut. We are not sure if these complaints are a coincidence that coincide with the monthly reservoir cleanings, which require a short period without water. So although a good number of surveys indicate that improvement of the water system is important, we would need to further investigate what improvements are really necessary and which complaints are founded on miscommunication or lack of familiarity with the system.

4. El sistema de agua potable en Pitajaya - Potable water for Pitajaya

Pitajaya is a caserío of Samne, one of the small outer regions, located on the outskirts of the town. It is made up of 36 families, none of which have potable water but instead drink of the polluted Moche River. The people are very motivated and are willing to work hard to install the system with us. Currently there is another nearby caserío, Campo Nuevo, which may be gaining there own potable water system with the help of a Spanish NGO, Engineering Without Borders (they must have copied our name...). We have been in touch and may be able to tap into their water source since Pitajaya does not have a spring of their own. If Campo Nuevo does not install the system or if there is not enough water for both towns, we would have to resort to treating the river water, which would require more extensive research about the waste dumped by the upstream mining companies and other river pollutants.

5. Ambientes para el colegio - School facilities

Samne's primary and secondary school complex is beautiful. It was just renovated in 2009, and kids from all over travel to attend. Some of the old school structures remain, and the director hopes to convert them to additional classrooms, a chemistry laboratory, and library. They are also in need of an administrative facility, roof over the playground for sun protection, more computers, and Internet. Education is a priority for the folks in Samne, although some say improving the recently expanded school is not #1 on their list.

6. El sistema de desagüe - Sewage system

This project is on the top of list for many people. There is a public sewage system in place, but not everyone is connected and there is no treatment. However we spoke with the mayor and he said that the Otuzco municipality has plans to finance and construct a new system. During our visit to Otuzco we verified this fact with the chief engineer of works. 

7. Cocinas mejoradas - Improved stoves

Although popular with the women of Vaso de Leche, we are not sure if there are enough families in need of better stoves to merit this project. People of Samne either use cocinas de leña (wood stoves) or cocinas de gas (gas stoves) or both. Some of the wood stoves need chimneys to direct the smoke away, although many are outside so a chimney isn't necessary. Many of the women have voiced their desire for more efficient stoves that burn less wood and maintain high temperatures. Melissa, a Peace Corps volunteer who met with us during the trip, has ideas she has offered to share regarding better stove designs.

8. Una planta de procesamiento de fruta - Fruit processing plant

One of Samne's biggest problems is the lack of work or economic opportunity. Nearly everyone leaves for their day jobs, unless they work in the fields. Even so, the crops are sold directly to market at a low price. By instead making products from these raw materials (i.e. pineapple preserves, pineapple juice, etc), there would be some work for the women and a possible way to bring more tourism and prosperity to the town.

9. Plaza de armas - Town square

Everyone wants a plaza de armas. It is a Peruvian custom for each town to have a community space, centrally located, to sit and gather and talk. During the festival, a woman approached us about a community fund that she and a group had been collecting for several years to build such a plaza in Samne. However there is no central location available, and the project would require land acquisition. Since designing a plaza does not require as much engineering as other projects, it may not be truly EWB-worthy, despite people's requests.  

Cheese me*

In Peru, finishing one's plate is a gesture of politeness and appreciation, so to ensure that we don't get a reputation around town as picky and ungrateful eaters, we have instituted the Clean Plate Club, the highest general honor conferred on a member of the EWB-Princeton Peru team during regular mealtimes. To make the Club, as you can guess, you have to clean your plate. This can be accomplished solo or with a food buddy; the only rule is that everything edible on you plate must be eaten by a human being (giving food to dogs not allowed).
Luckily, our meals are usually so delicious that making the Clean Plate Club is a reasonably pleasant task. The people at the Restaurante Malú make great meals with impressive variety for being located in rural Peru. Starchy (read: delicious) items make up 60-75% of the volume of each plate, and we usually have two of either rice, potatoes, yucca (pronounced yoo-ka, not yuck-a as yucca haterz are prone to saying), French fries, and/or noodles. For the non-vegetarians, there is a meat item, most often chicken but also lamb, beef, or fish. On lucky days we get our greens in the form of tomatoes, or beets. (Okay, none of those veggies are green but when you're in the Andean Sierra you take what you can get.) Yesterday we even got lettuce!
In order to bring our diet a bit more to life for our dear readers, I have put together (with the help of my compañeros) a list of the many foods that have kept our bellies and hearts happy here in Samne...
Ají. In America we just have salsa, but in Peru they call their spicy pepper condiment ají. I think it's called that because it's made from the ají pepper, although this might be a lie. Malú makes ají fresh, and we always have to ask for a second helping, mostly because Prakhar inhales ají like it's water. 
Carnero. Chicken is always a safe meat choice, but carnero (lamb) really makes a meal shine. It is usually stewed and goes great with rice, potatoes, and menestra (beans).
Lomitos. A Peruvian dish with cumin beef cut into small strips served with onions, tomatoes, french fries, and the omnipresent rice. We had this dish on our Otuzco outing, and despite receiving our food after people who had ordered other dishes already finished eating, we thought it was definitely worth it.
Cuy. Guinea pig, surprisingly tasty and more chewy than other meat, although it's not a universal favorite. 
Menestra. This delicious lentil/split pea-ish side dish complements any meal perfectly, and we also love it because it means that Prakhar, our token vegetariano, can get protein someplace other than from Clif bars. 
Fresh juice. Samne is located in pineapple country, and nothing beats freshly made pineapple juice. Unless maybe it's freshly squeezed orange juice.
Inca Kola. As our Peace Corps friend Brian says, there are some Peruvian meals that are only good to have with Inca Kola. It's the Peruvian national soda, a radioactive yellow liquid that tastes a bit like bubble gum. Don't be fooled by my unflattering description - it's delicious. I grew up in deep Coca Cola country (what up, Atlanta) and even I would choose Inca Kola over Coke if push came to shove. 
Lúcuma drinkable yogurt. In our adventure to Otuzco, we visited what I have decided is my favorite place in all of Peru: La Otuzcanita Productos Lacteos, where they sell delicious drinkable yogurt flavored like lúcuma, a popular Peruvian fruit. Oddly, not many of us are huge fans of lúcuma fruit but we all agree that the yogurt is fit for consumption by the gods (lúcuma yogurt and ambrosia all the way).
Queso tipo andino. La Otuzcanita also has Andean cheese, a semi-hard locally made cow's milk cheese with a firm but smooth texture and a taste in between that of provolone and manchego. *We polished off an entire wheel in just a few hours, using the shorthand phrase "Cheese me" (quésome) to ask for more.
Manjar. Dulce de leche with a more rich and complex taste. To understand how good manjar is, you should know that the jury is split on whether everyone prefers manjar or nutella. There are different scenarios in which I'd prefer either one - for example, nutella on crepes, but definitely manjar on pastries or shortbread cookies.
Picarones. A cross between Krispy Kreme donuts and funnel cake. Plus honey. Enough said.
Granadilla. A fruit that resembles pomegranate from the outside and inside, but tastes like kiwi. I had to ban myself from eating them this morning after I devoured five in a row last night without even blinking.

In an unrelated update, we're on the second day of the Patron Saint Festival for Santa Rosa de Lima! Lots of soccer-watching and dancing (and eating, of course) as we continue to immerse ourselves in Peruvian culture.

And then there were 5

Today is the second day after the departure of our dear friends Leo and Emily. In order to assuage our sadness we have created a list of how our lives have changed.

1) our daily bread consumption has been cut in half from S/. 3 to S/. 1.50.

2) there is much less complaining (cough cough Leo)

3) half the tech team is gone

4) our attempts to finish 2.25L of Inca Kola are pitiful failures

5) our laptop is gone...

6) Fruit Ninja is gone

7) more room on the bed

8) Prakhar gets to have some quality girl time which works out well for him since he knows all the right songs.

9) we only have Prakhar to pick on

10) we only need two tables at Malú

11) we no longer have the critical mass to make our internal parties seem like parties

12) Barbara has a new food buddy who cuts up her food for her

13) it's quieter

14) we have a lot more bathroom time

15) we're missing our caboose

16) no more really weird "would you rather"

17) no more stargazing

18) 28% reduction in quotable quotes

19) our claim to America (la rubia) is gone

20) Tom has fewer translators

21) we cannot field our own volleyball team

22) 100% of our breakdancing ability is gone

23) we can all sit at the table at the same time for breakfast... sort of.

Dear Emily and Leo, if only you had known about hurricane Irene beforehand you could have hung out with us for a couple more days and helped celebrate el dia de St. Rosa de Lima. We miss you and hope you get back safely to NJ!

Toughen Up

Living in a poor town of the Andean sierra has caused me to eschew my previous conceptions about what defines a "normal" lifestyle. After saying farewell to my more high maintenance, materialistic routine at home in the US, I have learned to value the fundamentals of survival. Forget the frills and comforts of home. The possessions and rituals that were so important to me before seem frivolous and unnecessary out here in the wilderness.

How almost two weeks in Samne have made me a stronger woman:

I base the quality of a meal by the amount of meat on my plate.
Reusing dirty socks is a common and acceptable practice.
Showers are cold, quick, and taken only when truly necessary.
I embrace the farmers tan.
Taking care of my appearance means washing my face occasionally.
A little coliform-infested water is no problem every now and then.
Dogs are not friendly companions and should be avoided at all times, as the nicer ones will steal your food and the mean ones growl and attack.
My Nalgene has become one of my closest friends.
Volleyball games are rough and competitive, especially when gambling is involved.
I can sleep in tight quarters and contorted positions if needed.
Cleaning the carpet entails hanging it out on the clothes line and beating it with the end of a mop until all the dust subsides or you run out of energy to continue.
With all the flies around, you will never be without dinner companions. 
Hitchhiking is always preferable to climbing a mountain to reach your destination, although sometimes you have to climb so just do it and don't complain.

Leo and Emily, Signing Off (sort of)

In addition to being engineers who lack borders, Leo and I happen to be super important pre-orientation leaders, and as such, we sadly had to leave the rest of the group to return to Princeton early. We waved goodbye to the members EWB-Peru, our beautiful little house, and Brad Pitt (the german shepherd) from the back of a combi whose windows were stuck open so we had the priviledge of breathing in a lot of dust on the ride to Trujillo, but otherwise had a very pleasant ride to the city.

As we were riding out of Samne I thought back to over a week ago when we first drove up that road and how unfamiliar everything was, and now just 9 days later how much like home it felt. We have been incredibly lucky in our choice of site, having Alan (probably the awesomest mayor ever to take office) to introduce us to all the town organizations and teach us how to make Pisco sours, being accepted by the Samne volleyball-playing community as hopeless but well-meaning teammates who are good for a laugh, and earning our place as "regulars" at the Restaurant Malu (which is good for some complimentary fresh-squeezed pineapple juice, fried bananas, mazamorra morada, and control over the radio to minimize Wino music). I look forward very much to returning again some time next year - EWB Peru and Samne are destined for great things I can tell!

Our Linea bus from Trujillo to Lima got inexplicably upgraded from "VIP" to "Super VIP", which was quite fantastic (although Barbara, I would say not worth the extra S./ 20 - I'll be damned if those seats actually reclined 180 degrees). However upon arrival in Lima, we learned that courtesy of Hurricane Irene, the entire eastern seaboard was shut down and our flights were cancelled. We spent many hours today arguing with airline agents (a full hour and a half was spent on call waiting as a recorded voice told us over and over and over "Your call is very important to us"). We finally now have our travel plans, but are missing Samne and the rest of the group already.

On behalf of everyone still in Samne, I also have an update on the past few days of our trip. We all had internet access on Thursday morning, but the proceeded to meet with the Marianistas of Otuzco. From our meeting with Jose Luis, it sounds like the Marianistas will be able to serve as our contact on the ground for our Samne project, which was very exciting to hear. They seem like a pretty amazing organization with interests very much in line with ours, and Jose Luis was incredibly nice and friendly. When I last spoke with Barbara, the team was in full work mode, taking community surveys and doing trash profiling with the garbage-collection women (so sorry I had to leave before that part, tech team! at least I was around for sewage testing?). And of course, preparing themselves for the fiesta patronal this weekend.
Good luck guys! See you back in Princeton!