Materials are being supplied by a private group calling themselves “Amigas de Vivienda”. Rotary is financing the education, training and project management through GG1422619.
Progress at Vivienda is going well. The pilot is finished & now all wrapped up in plastic sheeting to allow the cement to cure at a slower rate which should increase its strength as well as reduce hairline cracking that sometimes takes place with ferro-cement construction. It is an experiment & I am curious to see if it works. Cisterns 2 & 3 are almost complete.
We have put several new innovations into practice with this project:
- painted the galvanized nipples with Eco-Prim a special material that will allow the cement to adhere to the galvanized.
- added a more “convenient” first flush mechanism that will likely result in more people using the first flush as a way to divert water from a dirty roof.
- plan to add a cement pad under the first flush so a tambor (barrel) can be placed there to collect this water for non-cooking & non-drinking uses. The pad will also discourage erosion around the cistern.
- produced a sizing chart so families will know how much water to divert.
- improved the door design for ease of installation
- added mosquito netting to the overflow pipe.
- will put a cement pad under the spigot to improve cleanliness and reduce chances of bio-contamination.
- wrapping the cisterns with shrinkwrap.
- changed from 3 inch PVC to 4 inch PVC for only a $115 peso price increase. This will make gutters capable of carrying more water & make the installation more secure.
Photos of the pilot cistern and cisterns 2 & 3 can be seen on this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/
Lee Carter
San Miguel Midday Rotary.
Lee Carter
San Miguel Midday Rotary.
