CLEAN WATER FOR NICARAGUA

Well Update

Water Project Update – May 2023

During our recent visit, we assessed the six wells drilled as part of the water project:

• Three wells are functioning effectively and providing the sole source of safe drinking water for their communities. Efforts are underway to ensure all homes are connected to these systems. Water committees in these areas are performing well, with contingency plans in place. One village has even begun selling water to nearby areas, creating a supplementary fund for maintenance. Monthly electrical costs range between $1 and $3 USD, which is manageable for the population.

• One well, where the pump was previously stolen, is awaiting ministry approval to re-install a replacement pump.

• A hand pump in a remote area was found non-operational due to a loss of prime. During our visit, we replaced the piping and washers. The villagers celebrated with applause as the pump was restored to full functionality.

• One well in a hilly area was only being used in emergencies due to the cost of pumping water uphill to the storage tank and concerns about a faint sulfur smell. After investigating, we found:

  • The sulfur smell, although faint, dissipates when the water is left to settle in the tank for a day. It poses no health hazard.
  • To reduce electricity costs, we plan to install a secondary tank at pump level.

We will address the educational gap regarding the safety of the water and emphasize the importance of its use as the only safe potable source for the community. Ensuring these wells are fully utilized remains a priority for COMMIT.

Water for health

Expanding Access to Clean Water

In the past few years, COMMIT has drilled five new wells and installed three distribution systems to existing wells, ensuring clean and safe water is accessible to more communities. Trenches for these systems were dug by the men and women of the villages, demonstrating incredible commitment and teamwork.

This initiative has replaced unsafe water sources, such as shallow wells and rivers, with reliable systems for clean, potable drinking water. Electric pumps have been installed in all wells, except for the well in La Flor, which lacks electricity and relies on a hand pump. To further improve access, five water towers were constructed to store and distribute water effectively.

Each village received essential training on health practices, wise water usage, testing, and sterilization. To ensure sustainability, CAPS committees (community water committees) were established in each village. These committees manage well operations, oversee water usage, and collect funds to cover future repairs and electricity costs.

This project has transformed the lives of over 1,000 families, providing them with a basic human right: clean, accessible water.

Acknowledgments

We are deeply grateful to everyone who donated and supported this effort. Your contributions have truly changed lives. Special thanks to our representatives in Nicaragua and to the Rotary Clubs of Stratford and Granada for their partnership in bringing this project to life.

A heartfelt acknowledgment goes to Gustavo Reynosa, president of the Rotary Club of Granada, for his tireless dedication to visiting, organizing, and supervising this project. This is a shining example of Rotarians collaborating internationally without political agendas, united in the mission to improve lives and build a better world.

Doug Thompson

Janice Rauser- co-leader and founder of COMMIT at the well inauguration in Nandarola, September, 2021

Edgar, COMMIT's onsite manager, stands by one of the water project plaques

The electric water pump and tower in the village of La Vigia

Safe, clean drinking water

Transforming Lives Through Access to Clean Water

The villages we support in Nicaragua have long relied on unsanitary wells, rivers, or infrequent trucked-in water—an unreliable and unsafe situation that made proper sanitation nearly impossible. Clean water is a fundamental human right, and this dire need inspired COMMIT to take action.

Over the past few years, we have drilled wells in several communities to provide some relief. However, it quickly became evident that this was not enough to address the scale of the problem. Recognizing the urgent need for a sustainable solution, COMMIT partnered with the Rotary Clubs of Stratford and Granada, Nicaragua, to secure a Global Rotary Grant.

A Holistic Approach to Clean Water

This transformative project will provide:

• New wells, electric pumps, and water towers in six villages.
• A distribution system for two larger villages where transporting water has been particularly challenging.
• Comprehensive sanitation education and implementation to ensure wise water usage and long-term health benefits.

The grant, recently approved, represents a monumental step forward for the villages. With work beginning soon, the project will impact over 700 families, providing clean, abundant water and significantly improving health, sanitation, and overall quality of life. Additionally, this initiative is expected to bolster the local economy by reducing the burden and costs associated with accessing water.

Gratitude and Acknowledgments

This achievement would not have been possible without the collaboration and commitment of the Rotary Clubs involved, our generous donors, and all those who supported this endeavor. Special thanks go to Dr. Doug Thompson, Dr. Paul McArthur, and Rotarian Charlene Gordon for their extraordinary dedication and tireless work in securing this grant.

Together, we are changing lives and empowering communities, one drop of clean water at a time.