3rd Exploratory Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project

Record of Meeting pg 1 of 2

3rd Exploratory Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee

Where: Department of Ecology, (Municipal offices on Rd to Queretaro)

When: Monday Aug 11th 2008, 2.15pm

Who: Bob Leonard, Laura Stewart & Enrique Orvañanos SMA Rotary. Julio Gonzalez (Dept of Ecology, “monitoreo de la calidad del agua & aire”)
Purpose - SMA Rotary has tasked Bob, Enrique & Laura with defining the “needs” & determining the best proposal, for a major water Project involving the writing of a competitive grant for approx. US$100K.

Rationale: As part of the process of defining the “need” we will meet with as many people as possible that are directly involved in the provision of, or are aware of the need for the provision of, safe drinking water solutions to marginal communities.

Department of Ecology is the Municipal organisation, responsible for monitoring, & improving the quality of, the ecology of the area of SMA.

Discoveries/discussion/decisions:

We explained Rotary’s goals. We specifically asked which of the communities, on the list of communities identified to be affected by dangerously high levels of fluoride (a list previously provided to Rotary & the reason the San Miguel Viejo water collection project was undertaken), the govt. were planning to do projects for & therefore which ones would still need assistance.
Julio identified 9 communities that the Federal Govt. have allocated funding for & 2 that the state govt. have allocated funding for.

The Federal Govt. have apparently allowed $1,270,000pesos (approx US$127k) to do the projects for 9 communities. (approx $US14k per project). (We were not made aware of the funding allocated by the state govt for the 2 projects they are funding).
One community – Guerrero has rejected the Ecology dept’s offer of a water collection project in their area, despite the fact that they have one of the highest levels of fluoride poisoning in their pozos (wells). The Cacique (unspoken boss or Don) has threatened legal action through his lawyer. No reason was given, & the Cacique has prevented it for the whole community.
Julio identified a number of communities that were not on the list for projects.

El Nigromante - has the largest popn (more than 1100). The Ecology dept believed Rotary was planning a project there so did not add it to their list. Therefore we (Bob, Enrique & I) believe it is our responsibility to add this location to the top of our list (assuming they would like to participate).






Record of Meeting pg 2 of 2

3rd Exploratory Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee

The other communities with recorded fluoride levels on the “Fluoride List” (that currently have no projects planned) are: (with risk category & popn in brackets)

Guerrero (mentioned above) (high) (190)
Los Torres (high) (335)
San Francisco (high) (172)
Vergel de los Laureles (moderate) (189)
Loma de Cocina (moderate) (283)
Salitrillo (moderate) (276)
Lindero (moderate) (171)
La Cieneguita (moderate) (875)
Cruz del Palmar High manganeso contamination levels (796)

Other communities to be considered are:

These are communities with no Pozos or access to water:

(popn. Figures in brackets)

Cañada de San Jose (23)
Juan Glez (294) neighbouring Los Ortega (12)
La Joyita (11)
Pinicillo (35)
La Angostura (21)
San Isidro de la Cañada (112)
Xotolar (40)
Los Toriles (166)
Los Toures II (51)

Julio gave us copies of the photos of examples of various water collection methods of the communities listed immediately above. Including shallow “wells”, small dams, sulphurous springs & “puddles”.

Julio’s contact details are:

Ph 120 4332 Mon-Fri 8.30-4. Email juliobernal@sanmiguelallende.gob.mx