Water management in a high altitude vulnerable community

The goal of the Project is to improve the management of water in vulnerable community located at a high altitude in Las Carreras, Tucuman province, Argentina. The FEDUCAVI Foundation, in collaboration with the Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy at the UNT with which Probitas collaborates, is carrying out a project in Las Carreras in the province of Tucuman, Argentina, to improve the management of water in a vulnerable community located at a high altitude. The main objective is provide a supply of drinking water as a base to improve the quality of life of the population, and promote the capacity of self-management of hydrological resources

CONTEXT

The project is centered in the community of Las Carreras in the department of Tafí del Valle, the province of Tucumán, Argentina. The population, located at 2,400 meters above sea level, is a dispersed rural sector made up of 100 families with scarce resources. The community is primarily dedicated to agriculture and some individuals are employed as seasonal workers. Approximately 160 initial and primary level students will attend the school.

 PROJECT

 The aim of the project is to provide drinking water to the population through the optimization of the infrastructure of obtaining supplies from the Loa Alisos river, the construction of installations, the improvement of the distribution network, and the collocation of domestic water tanks. In addition, the project will be involved in awareness programs for the community and authorities about the issue of water, encouraging self-management on the part of the community and the correct behavior for the sustainable use of hydrological resources.
The programmed activities are: the drawing up of surveys and interviews to update the diagnosis of the hydrological situation and customs regarding water in the zone; and, the performance of a current design analysis of the water network in order to determine the improvements required. In the second phase, the water supply system will be redesigned and the collection system improved. Later, machinery will be acquired and installed to create drinking water, including high density polyethylene hosepipes, pumps, valves, and domestic tanks. Finally, teachers and students will be trained in the promotion of adequate behavior regarding water.
With the execution of the project it is hoped that the supply of drinking water will be continuous and sufficient for the community, and that the quality of life of the population be improved. Finally, it is expected that the community will set up mechanisms of self-management for water

 BENEFICIARIES

 The direct beneficiaries of the project are 510 people, 98 of them are women and 290 children. The indirect beneficiaries are 700 people, 135 women and 360 children.