#Cuatro Comunidades
#Tamara
#Ojojona
#Atima
#Gracias
#Validation Study

Cuatro Comunidades

The plant operators switched places this month, with Justo taking over control of the plant while Gustavo makes repairs in the wáter system. The plant continues to operate well, although they have had to close it a few times at night when it rains and the operator is not available to stay the night.

We have begun a series of evening meetings, one in each of the four communities, to explain the situation of the treatment plant and promote the increase in the tariff to make it sustainable. Friday 5.08 we met with 50 community members from La Jagua and Saturday 5.09 we met with about 13 representatives from Aldea Bonita. Although the turnout in Aldea Bonita was low and there was some resistance to the increase in the tariff, both communities seemed to accept the increase. Monday 5.11 and Tuesday 5.12 we will meet with Rio Frio and Los Vallos.

Tamara

Wednesday 5.06 we visited Tamara to calibrate the chemical doser and check up on the operation of the plant. The plant was functioning well, although they still need to improve their monitoring of chlorine in the houses. We were not able to meet with Karin, the Fontanero, to check his chlorine data. Construction of the operator's house is nearly complete, with the roof now installed. A community assembly was held to select a new water board, but only the treasurer will change. The rest of the members agreed to stay on.

Ojojona

Tuesday 5.05 we met with Martin, the president of the Ojojona water board. Although heavy rain had still not arrived in Ojojona, Martin said the water board has alum on hand and is ready to begin applying chemical to the water when the turbidity rises. We also discussed plans to add a roof to the plant and replace the sedimentation modules that are made out of fiberglass sheets. Martin agreed to bring up the issue of physical improvements to the plant at the water board's meeting scheduled for Saturday 5.09. We also discussed improving the monitoring of chlorine residual in the household connections. Martin said that he as administrator could take daily chlorine measurements and advise the plant operator when a dose change is needed.

Atima

We have now finished the preliminary budget and plans for Atima. The mayor stopped by Monday 5.11 to pick them up. We hope to submit a proposal to the Japanese Cooperation to finance the materials and skilled labor for the plant, and that the municipality will be able to come up with the money for the rest of the expenses. The mayor said he hopes to use municipal money to finance a good share of the project, but that he would have to wait until the next funding cycle to submit it.

Gracias

The mayor of Gracias stopped by the office Tuesday 5.05 to pick up the plant design and budget. He plans to submit it to the First Lady of Honduras and to a government organization called SETCO (Technical Secretary of Cooperation) that funds materials and labor for infrastructure projects. We will wait to hear what results he has.

Validation Study

Dan has finished a first draft of a proposal for the study and Arturo and Jacobo are reviewing it.