WEFTA is fortunate to have a marvelous representative on the ground in Honduras: retired engineer Enrique Lozano Campos. Enrique works tirelessly to assess requests for help, manage projects, engage and educate communities and develop partnerships for us. Enrique also files many delightful field reports about his activities, requests for help and the communities that have worked with WEFTA on water projects. If you are interested in Honduras, we invite you to read a sampling below. All reports are in Spanish, but WEFTA is happy to provide an English translation upon request. Even if your Spanish is a bit rusty, you can easily follow along because of the many photos in each report.
Introduction to Our Work in Honduras – PDF: Facts about Honduras and water challenges there, our partnership with USAID-ACCESO, and a report on the community of Santa Elena.
Three Communities Working to Solve Their Water Problems – PDF:
- San Marcos de la Sierra—This is a poor area with rugged terrain and serious water quality and distribution problems for 2,000 inhabitants of 17 communities. The water must be treated due to the high sediment content and dangerous substances resulting from livestock activities in the area.
- Jesus de Otoro—Five communities have joined together to seek assistance in designing and installing a water distribution system. A large number of families will benefit from this project; the exact impact will be known once the application for assistance has been submitted to WEFTA by the municipal authorities.
- Ologosi, Maracia and El Peloncito—These communities have never had a water or sanitation system. There are a total of 2,388 people in the three communities. Each community has a kindergarten and primary school. They have a good water source but have never had a proper design for a distribution system. WEFTA has been asked to provide a system design once the topographical survey is completed.
Belen, Manazapa – PDF: This community had never had a water distribution system but that will soon change thanks to the support of USAID ACCESO and WEFTA. The water take off is completed, the supply line to the tank is 95% completed and the tank itself is finished and the distribution system will be finished soon. The donation by USAID ACCESO of tubing, accessories and other materials, along with the communities’ providing local materials and labor, the support of the Intibuca municipality and the funds and supervision from WEFTA have all been factors in the realization of the dream of this hard working community to have water in their homes.
Los Encinos, Manazapa, Planes de Rio Grande and Rio Grande – PDF: These four communities share the same source and supply system which has served for many years. They have been working hard to improve and expand the system. The new system will be built parallel to the existing system so as not to interrupt the supply of water and will ultimately benefit 384 families. USAID ACCESO and WEFTA have provided technical training in the management, operation and sustainability of the system.
Monquecagua – PDF: This community has a population of 2,160 comprising 360 families. It has an old water supply system which only provides 12 gallons per minute (gpm) in the summer, a 10,000 gallon storage tank and a distribution system made with all kinds of materials. Today, only the school, the clinic and ther day care center use water from this source. At least 100 homes lack a water connection. With WEFTA’s assistance a better water source was located, a topographical survey was completed along with a system design. The project is ready to begin the first phase which will be the construction of a spring tank and a supply line to the existing storage tank. The second phase will be the construction of a new storage tank and phase three will be the distribution network to the homes.
Maneadero II – PDF: In partnership with Save the Children, in 2012 El Maneadero improved and expanded its principal supply line by 2,940 meters. In 2014, WEFTA worked with this community to increase the availability of water by combining the sources of water. This new source is a spring used by some of the population and two small waterfalls. When combined, these sources will provide a flow of between 30 and 40 gallons per minute.
La Ceibita – PDF: A community of 150 families earning a living cultivating coffee, citrus and livestock. Their water system needs improvement and expansion.
Two Communities Requesting Assistance – PDF: Camapara–A community of 353 people that has been trying to get a water distribution system to each home. A study was completed in 2013 for such a project which will consist of a spring tank, a supply line 7,776 meters long, of which 1,000 meters have been completed and a 10,000 gallon storage tank. Santa Catarina II–this project will benefit 45 households in a community of 350 inhabitants who do not have water service to their homes. The remaining homes have had service for many years. The project will be a gravity system which will provide 12.3 gallons per minute, a 4,451 meter supply line and a 10,000 gallon storage tank.
