Water Collection, Treatment, and Distribution Project in El Progreso, Ecuador

The El Progreso Water Project was originally conceived as a thesis by a student at Catholic University. This small farming community of 110 residents had unequal and insecure access to drinking water causing economic disparity. The EWB-USA Portland Maine Professionals chapter (EWB-PMP) partnered with a local NGO, Engineers in Action (EIA), to adopt this project to provide a reliable public drinking water system for the whole community.  

Although this project has officially been closed, contact ecuadorlead@ewbportlandmaine.org if you have any questions!

 2017 Assessment Trip

During EWB-PMP’s first trip to El Progreso, the project team visited three springs that had potential to become the community’s new water supply source. They took flow measurements and tested the water quality of each one. They also mapped each house and conducted interviews with every household to determine overall challenges and need.

  • EWB-PMP Assessment Team

    The team first traveled in 2017 to learn about the community’s current situation, potential water sources and future needs.

    Five people standing on striped outdoor stairs with a clear blue sky, mountains, and lush greenery in the background.

  • El Progreso Community Center

    The El Progreso community center along with most of the homes lie at the foot of some challenging terrain where sugarcane is grown.

    A small schoolyard with a basketball court and a playground, surrounded by houses in a rural area with green hills and cloudy sky in the background.

  • All Parties Reviewing the Options

    Using data gathered in the field and from community members, the team reviewed possible solutions for providing a reliable water system.

    Group of people gathered around a table looking at documents in a rustic room with green walls and a window.

Selection of the Water Distribution System

After the Assessment trip, the project team evaluated the data and presented the options to the community. A gravity-fed water distribution system was ultimately selected.

2018 Implementation Trip

The project team traveled to El Progreso in the fall of 2018 for the first phase of implementation that included building a catchment for one of the water sources and installing concrete pads for the water storage tanks.

  • Surveying Double Stream to Storage Tanks

    The conduction line goes through steep terrain and ravines.

    Four researchers working in a forested stream area. Two seated with notebooks, one standing holding a pole, and another standing with a tool, inspecting the ground.

  • Building the Stream Catchment

    A small impoundment traps water from the spring and directs it into a collection pipe.

    A small wooden bridge with metal pipes and a plastic pipe across a narrow rocky and dirt trail in a forest.

  • Preparing Concrete Base for Storage Tanks

    Members of the project team and the community prepare the site for the water storage tanks and for pouring the concrete slab.

    Group of people working on constructing a concrete slab on a hillside with trees and a fallen tree branch in the background.

2018 EWB-PMP Project Team and Community Members

2020 Implementation Trip 

Construction continued during the second implementation trip. The project team added the piping to the storage tanks, began laying the conduction piping between the spring and the storage tanks, and surveyed half of the water distribution system.

  • Piping at the Storage Tanks

    Two 5,000 L water storage tanks were set on the pads constructed during the first implementation trip.

  • Digging the Conduction Line Trench

    The project team and community members began digging the conduction line trench and laying the first lengths of pipe.

    Children planting trees on a hillside with shovels and young plants.

  • Laying the Conduction Line

    The rolls of flexible plastic pipe purchased in-country need time to uncoil before inserting into the trench.

    Two women standing outdoors near a trench with blue pipes inside it, surrounded by trees and greenery.

2020 EWB-PMP Project Team and Community Members

2020-2022 Remote Work

Due to the onset of COVID-19, travel was suspended. The project team continued to work on the design of the water system remotely via coordination with the in-country NGO, Engineers in Action (EIA). The team hired a local surveyor to complete a topographic survey of the area between the spring and the storage tanks, as well as the second half of the proposed location of the water distribution system. Using this information, the project team established the basis of the water system model. Additionally, the project team hired EIA to collect water quality samples to establish what water treatment would be necessary for the system. 

2023 Implementation Trip

After three years of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the project team was finally able to visit the community again. This trip included reconstruction of the existing stream catchment intake structure as well as site assessment and gathering the data needed to complete design of the remaining system components.

  • Rebuilding the West Catchment

    The stream catchment intake structure had been clogged with sediment over time. The project team rebuilt it so water would enter pipes at the surface of the catchment instead of the bottom where sediment would settle out.

    Two workers are installing water pipes in a trench, with foam insulation around the pipes for protection.

  • Surveying the Biosand Area

    The area available for potential construction of the bio-sand filter was measured.

    People conducting a field research or environmental study outdoors in a wooded area.

  • Walking the Distribution System

    Water will be distributed throughout the community using a network of pipes installed along the road. This trip involved mapping out the proposed distribution line.

    Hilly landscape with green vegetation and scattered houses, cloudy sky above, and a makeshift laundry line with clothes hanging, in a rural area.

2024 Implementation Trip 1

This trip included construction of the spring box catchment structure and intermediate storage tank as well as the chlorination system. This trip also included construction of the conduction line as well as the first break pressure tank at the water storage tank location.

  • Chlorination System

    Agricultural or industrial water tank connected to pipes and valves in outdoor setting. The large blue tank is part of a water or chemical distribution system.

  • Conduction Line Piping

    A person in an orange long-sleeve shirt, gray pants, and rubber boots stands on a dirt trail in a forest, holding a blue hose or pipe. The person is looking at a tree with a hammock tied between trees in a lush green forest setting.

  • Break Pressure Tank

    Two men are working outdoors on a water piping system in a lush, green forest. One is filling a large blue barrel with water while the other is observing and holding a device. The pipe system is connected to underground pipes.

2024 Implementation Trip 2

This trip included construction of the distribution piping network, testing of the chlorination system, and teaching the community how to construct the tap stands. The project team also installed a clean-out in the conduction pipeline as well as air release valves for better operation of the gravity network. The community also installed a roof over the intermediate storage tank and added supports to some ravine pipe crossings in the distribution line.

  • Chlorination Testing

    Person wearing blue gloves holding a soil test kit container with colorful analysis chart, outdoor background with pipes and equipment.

  • Distribution Piping Network

    Four people stand around a trench dug in the ground near a large tree, with a dirt path in a rural area surrounded by green trees and foliage, and a small building in the background. The scene suggests they are working on underground work involving pipes.

  • Tap Stand Construction

    Group of people working outside a house, installing or repairing a water line, with one person holding a hose and others standing nearby. The house has wooden and concrete walls, and there are parked cars in the background.

2024 Implementation Trip 2

This trip included construction of the distribution piping network, testing of the chlorination system, and teaching the community how to construct the tap stands. The project team also installed a clean-out in the conduction pipeline as well as air release valves for better operation of the gravity network. The community also installed a roof over the intermediate storage tank and added supports to some ravine pipe crossings in the distribution line.