International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance

Linking Aid with Development

The municipality of San Antonio de Lomerio in Bolivia is located on the Brazilian Precambrian Shield, an extremely thick slab of solid granite. As a result, the water scarcity is a regular problem. Deep wells are technically and economically problematic, the groundwater reserves are insignificant and the shallow wells in the country disappear even in the beginning of the dry periods. In 2001, due to an extended drought, the region of San Antonio and the entire Chiquitania zone were declared emergency zones. The same happened in 2004 and 2005.

Rainwater Harvesting was the solution which naturally suited best to the local geographical and geological conditions. In 2005, the Green Cross International solicited IRHA to get involved in this project. At the same time a group of families from San Antonio de Lomerio asked the US organization Peace Corps to send volunteers to train the population in the implementation of an alternative water system.

The project aimed to improve the health of the population providing a sustainable access to water through Rainwater Harvesting. It should have given also a push to develop tourism from the Jesuit Mission circuit, to encourage the craftsmen work and to facilitate the small scale farming.

The IRHA formulated the project and found the necessary funding. The implementation started in 2006. Only for a few months the local artisans, trained by Peace Corps volunteers, learned to build up 10 cube meters water tanks. Six of them were located in school yards, giving this way access to clean water to about 1500 children. Two handicraft centres, two hospitals and a church also "received" in their premises a new cylindrical construction collecting rainwater from the roof. Till November 2006 when the project ended there were finished 25 rainwater harvesting systems; 15 masons were certified as rainwater tanks builders; 25 families were trained in hygiene and water purification (using the Swiss method SODIS). Finally the entire population of San Antonio de Lomerio became conscious about the need to keep the environment clean and to protect the water resources.

The project " Rainwater Harvesting in San Antonio de Lomerio " which cost of 15'000 USD was supported by the Canton of Geneva and was executed under the IRHA management, a considerable part of which was done as in-kind contribution. With this insignificant sum the population of San Antonio started a better and healthier life. Now people can develop handicrafts and can send their children to school where water is already available.


General Objectives:

To improve the conditions of lives and the health of San Antonio de Lomerio population by constructing of rainwater harvesting systems.

The indicator for a successful project implementation is 5% reduction of the number of gastro-intestinal diseases, 5% diminishing of the cases of skin infections and a clear reduction of the dehydration problems in San Antonio Community.


Specific Objectives:

1. To improve the access of the communities to pipe borne water with the construction of 25 rain water harvesting systems, distributed according to the needs of the community;

2. To certify15 people in the construction of rain water harvesting systems, according to the standards established by Peace Corps.

3. To train 25 people in: Hygiene and Health; Environmental preservation.

4. To train 25 people in water, purification, based on the methods practiced by the Peace Corps (SODIS, boiling, clarification);

5. To strengthen initiatives for the construction of rain water harvesting systems as sustainable infrastructure to support the local ecotourism industry.

Results

* 25 rainwater harvesting installation are built up in San Antonio, from which are benefiting:
- 135 Native families (6 members per family). Total 810 Natives.
- 7 Schools (800 native children)
- 2 Health Centers (Medical staff and patients)
- 2 Handicrafts Centers (80 artisans, men and women)
- 1 Native meeting room (30 people leading the community life)

* 15 local people are trained to construct rainwater harvesting installations ;

* 25 families are trained in the rules of hygiene, basic sanitation and environment protection;

* The local population is trained in water purification (method SODIS) and maintenance of the new systems.