By Jake Kheel | Environmental Director
Since the last report, Fuentes de Vida has continued to make progress towards implementing community wide sanitation systems in the community of Domingo Maiz. Recently, the Puntacana Ecological Foundation and its project partners were awarded a grant for nearly USD$26,000, thus allowing the FDV coalition to begin construction of the constructed wetlands wastewater treatment system. After months of vetting and negotiating with various construction firms the project team reached favorable contract terms with a local company and excavation of the wetlands treatment area began February 12, 2014. The construction of the wastewater treatment system is being overseen by a Response Peace Corps Volunteer and local engineers who have agreed to donate their time.
As of the first week of March 2014, the first half of the constructed wetlands has been fully excavated and the disposal well has been drilled for the treated water to flow back into the groundwater source. The left over limestone rock/sand that is being removed will be donated to the community members to be used as fill and caliche (a sort of impromtu cement).
Realizing a project of this magnitude has not been easy, however. The limestone bedrock can be very dense in certain areas and maintenance on the trencher and other construction equipment is an unfortunate necessity that often results in delays. That being said, at the rate the construction company is excavating we hope to finalize construction of the wastewater treatment system by mid- April, 2014.
With the eventual completion fo the wastewater treatment system now in sight, Fuentes de Vida has begun making plans to begin working on the potable water and solid waste management (trash) elements of the Fuentes de Vida project. Since the last report we have had meetings with Engineers Without Borders, (EWB),-with the aim of creating a centralized potable water system for the community of Domingo Maíz. We are currently drafting preliminary agreements to begin fundraising for this work.
While FDV has initiated construction the wastewater component of the project the larger initiative still needs your help. Please continue supporting this project with your donations.
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