Current Projects
Dulce Nombre School Stormwater Remediation
2007 to Present
Dulce Nombre is a neighborhood in the city of Jinotepe, Nicaragua. In 2007 the municipality requested assistance from EWB-PSU
in solving the seasonal flooding problems at the Dulce Nombre elementary school.
The school is located in a mid-slope depression. Consequently, during Nicaragua's rainy season the school grounds accumulate standing
water from rainfall on the grounds themselves, as well as from runoff further upslope. The design of the local road system prevents
this water from escaping the school grounds, causing standing water of up to 12 inches. This repeated flooding causes significant community
risks, ranging from health threats associated with standing water to potentially dangerous conditions for the 150 students that attend the
school. The flooding of the school buildings has a severe impact on the quality of the students' education.
EWB-PSU has completed two assessment trips to Dulce Nombre to collect data and work with the municipality and community leaders to design
a solution. We are currently working on a detailed design for implentation in 2010.
For more information, visit the project wiki page.
Join the project discussion group.
Student Team Members: Andreu Ferrero, Michelle Hancock, Seth Moody, Chad Norvell, Austin Peters, Will Templeton, Steve Tomsik
Professional Mentors: Juanita Platz, Cole Presthus
Huehuete Potable Water System
2007 to Present
Huehuete is a village of approximately 1,000 families on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. The village and surrounding area has an extensive
network of wells, but in recent years these wells have dried up or have experienced periodic saltwater intrusion, rendering the water
unfit for human consumption. Because the community's water needs far exceed the capability of the existing water system, residents must
pay to transport clean drinking water into village, at a cost of more than 25% of the average family's income.
EWB-PSU is working with community leaders and government organizations to evaluate the nature of the area's groundwater and design a
local, community-managed water system that provides for the needs of the community. We have completed two assessment trips to collect
data necessary for a complete evaluation and design, and have worked with community leaders to create a local water management committee
to represent the interests of the community and adminster the future water system. We are currently working on a detailed design for phased
implementation beginning in 2010.
For more information, visit the project wiki page.
Join the project discussion group.
Student Team Members: Andreu Ferrero, Michelle Hancock, Seth Moody, Chad Norvell, Austin Peters, Will Templeton, Steve Tomsik
Professional Mentors: Dennis Orlowski, Juanita Platz, Cole Presthus
Past Projects
Jinotepe Hogar Improvements
2006 to 2007
EWB-PSU worked in collaboration with the PSU Institute on Aging and the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation to complete a series of improvments
on an elder care facility (hogar) in Jinotepe, Nicaragua.
Three significant improvements were made to the hogar during the course of this project. The first was an upgrade to the on-site water storage,
increasing it from 2,500 liters to 10,000 liters. While water is provided to the hogar free of charge, the supply is intermittant and unreliable,
so the increase in on-site storage means the residents now have much more consistent access to water. The electric pump system was replaced
with a gravity-fed system to help cut energy costs.
During the assessment, structural problems with the hogar's roof system were found. Since Nicaragua is in an area of high seismic activity, this
was a significant risk. The roof structure was reinforced through use of over 700 feet of galvanized steel tension strapping.
Finally, the team completed an overhaul of the hogar's electrical system, which previously had been unreliable, under-sized, and dangerous.
The team worked with local electrical contractors to upgrade the conduit, light fixtures, and light switches throughout the length of the
facility. New energy-efficient light bulbs were installed to reduce energy costs.
Student Team Members: Norm Buccola, Jenna Faulkner, Michael Glickman, Corianne Hart, Seth Moody, Helen Oppenheimer, Ivan Perez, Tom Wharton
Professional Mentors: David Leckey, Cole Presthus
Final Project Report
Water Tower Design
Matagalpa Hogar Improvements
2006
EWB-PSU worked in collaboration with the PSU Institute on Aging and the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation improve the irrigation system of an orchard
at an elder care facility (hogar) in Matagalpa, Nicaragua.
The hogar manages a 300-tree orchard that is used to provide fresh fruit and generate an income for supplies and facility maintenance. The irrigation
practice in used was an out-dated and inefficient method that lead to significant water losses to evaporation. The project team designed and implemented
an improved irrigation system and educated the residents on long-term, sustainable farming practices using low-cost, local resources.
Student Team Members: Norm Buccola, Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky, Brandon McVeigh
Final Project Report
Final Project Presentation