Payton’s Water Catchment Project in El Salvador
Water Charity has undertaken a new water catchment project in the community of Los Mangos, Municipality of Ciudad Arce, Department of La Libertad, El Salvador.
Located about 45 minutes from San Salvador, Los Mangos has 53 families. The population is served by the Los Mangos Community Health Clinic. The clinic is without water, a condition that hampers its ability to deliver services to the community.
This project will provide a rainwater collection system for the clinic. The system will consist of a tank, a gutter collection system, and piping between the gutters, the tank, and the clinic.
The project was initiated and will be implemented by Payton Phillips Garcia and Jeff Gould. Payton is a Lecturer in the Spanish Department at the University of Southern California, with a longstanding interest in El Salvador and a strong relationship with the Salvadoran community of Los Angeles.
Jeff is an Engineering Contractor in San Pedro, California, who spends much time and does a lot of charitable work in El Salvador. Payton and Jeff will see the project through to completion.
This project is very exciting to Water Charity in that it is the first time that we are attempting to engage and work with an ethnic co mmunity in the U.S. to assist them in giving support to projects in their native country.
Los Angeles has the largest number of Salvadorans of any city outside of El Salvador. Los Angeles and San Salvador are Sister Cities. Many Salvadoran-Americans, in addition to helping family members who remain in El Salvador, are looking to improve living conditions in their homeland.
Support will come from financial contributions from those who are able. For those with limited resources, volunteer effort will be helpful. By generating interest and spreading the word, a larger support base can be developed.
This project is consistent with our objective of doing small, high-impact projects very quickly, utilizing local resources. It is a model project that can be replicated in other communities of El Salvador and elsewhere.
Any public building with a large roof surface, such as a school, health clinic, or community center can be a target candidate. Thus, this type of project can be an adjunct to an education program, a public health program, or a community development program. By joining forces with other assistance efforts, we are able to multiply our impact.
This project has been fully funded through the generosity of Six Senses Resorts & Spas as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Payton of your contribution. Additional funds will be used to fund other projects in El Salvador.
To read about the conclusion of this project, CLICK HERE
Conclusion of Payton’s Water Catchment Project in El Salvador
To read about the beginning of this project, CLICK HERE.
This project was successfully carried out, on schedule and within budget, under the direction of Payton Phillips Garcia and Jeff Gould.
The project enjoyed the total support of the community, clinic staff, and all levels of government. It began with an approval of the design by the local Director of Health and a commitment from the Administrator of the project and the Clinic Doctor.
In cooperation with the Mayor of Ciudad Arce, plans to provide a rainwater collection system, construct an elevated concrete platform, install piping and a collection tank, and repair and hook up the toilets and sinks, proceeded to become a reality.
Various supplies, including steel, cement, wire, and sand were provided by the municipality.
The water tank and rain gutters were delivered to the clinic. The platform for the tank was constructed and the tank was lifted up to and secured on the platform. Rain gutters were secured to the building and connected to the tank. Finally, the pipe was run from the tank, through the wall of the clinic to the fixtures within.
Then they waited for the next rain to check the operation of the system, and assure that there were no leaks. Everything worked perfectly!
According to Jeff:
This ended up being a model project in simplicity. During the six month rainy season the tank is filled automatically with rain water and in the six month dry season the tank can be filled from the street by water truck vendors.
The community will enjoy this service for 30 years with minimum maintenance. That's what I call eloquent! Thanks again to Water Charity. You have made a lasting positive effect on our Pueblo.
This project succeeded in making available a continuing supply of filtered water, suitable for drinking and sanitation, to the community health clinic. We offer our thanks to Payton and Jeff for their unselfish contribution of time and energy to carry out this project.
We again wish to thank Six Senses Resorts & Spas for their generosity in funding this project.