Project Cost $63,125.00 Assessment Cost $7,125.00 Implementation Cost $55,000.00 Funds Needed $45,000.00 Background Located 200 miles north of Manila in the province of La Union, Philippines, the village of Apatut is in need of a new potable water supply for its 157-household community in order to combat the current health problems it faces. The Rotary Clubs of Suburban East Rizal and Metro San Fernando La Union submitted an application for engineering support to EWB-USA in early 2009. The project was subsequently applied for and awarded to EWB-MAP.

The Need The village of Apatut, and the surrounding area, is in need of a potable water supply. Most residents currently obtain water directly from shallow wells within the village using difficult-to-operate manual pumps like the one pictured above. The water from these wells is a significant contributing factor to the prevalence of diseases typically associated with poor drinking water. Households with babies and small children are at particularly high risk for diseases. To protect themselves, residents must boil the local water before drinking it or buy bottled water. EWB-USA Response Site Assessment An EWB-MAP team traveled to Apatut in March of 2010 to complete a site assessment. They met with a majority of the 157 households to complete a health assessment and understand residents’ water usage and concerns. Water quality analysis conducted around the community showed high levels of fecal coliform. EWB-MAP meet with the community, government, contractors, Rotary, and utilities during the trip in order to prepare for construction. Project Design EWB-MAP is designing and will oversee the construction of a new water supply for the community. The current design includes a new deep well at the water source, a storage tank sized for a day’s worth of water, a submersible electric pump to pump groundwater from the well to the storage tank, a sloped distribution pipeline down to the community, distribution piping to centrally-located tap stands during Phase 1, and to each home during Phase 2. Follwing Up EWB-MAP has been in contact with the community since the trip, and residents have assisted in gathering additional data and sending it to the EWB-MAP team. Community members will assist EWB-MAP in obtaining proposals from contractors and pricing from material suppliers in order to prepare for construction. The leadership of Apatut is currently applying for the water rights and securing all needed legal permissions for the new system. Moving Forward EWB-MAP has partnered with the Rotary Clubs of Suburban East Rizal, Metro San Fernando La Union, and Hatboro, Pennsylvania to develop a sustainable solution. EWB-MAP, with extensive Rotary Club support, continues to raise money in order to begin construction of Phase 1 in the fall of 2010. Phase 2 is scheduled for the fall of 2011. During each phase, EWB-MAP will work with Apatut leadership to educate the residents about the system, water usage, and the importance of water quality in order to ensure the sustainability of the system and the overall health of the community.