First Project with EWB-USA, in Ghana, West Africa
In October 2005, Engineers Without Borders at the University of Arizona (EWB-UA) was awarded their first EWB-USA project. EWB-UA is currently working on the water supply and purification project, that will take place in the village of Mafi Zongo, Ghana, West Africa. We will be supplying 30 or more villages, approximately 10,000 people, with safe drinking water.

We will be working with a local NGO AMURT , who has been working in Ghana for over ten years. With the collaboration of AMURT, we will be assessing the communities existing site and water system. Some areas of the project will include the dam integrity, pump efficiency, water quality, filtration, and community health. Our objective is to provide engineering and technical assistance to AMURT-Ghana to aid in the completion of a community water supply project.

We have a team made up of Graduate and Undergraduate students in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Watershed Management, and Public Health. Our Professional Mentor is Ty Morton with CH2M HILL in Tucson, Arizona, whose background is in water resources.

To accomplish this project, we will be making one site assessment trip at the end of December 2005 and three implementation/assessment trips in the next three years. If you would like to participate or give a tax deductible donation, please contact Amanda Plourde, Student Project Manager.

Project Summary
In 1995, approximately 30 communities (population 10,000) in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region organized around the desire for improved water quality and accessibility. With the aid of a locally active non-governmental organization (NGO), Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT), the Phase I design and construction of a water system was completed in May 2005. However, the system has experienced some difficulties. As a result, the communities and AMURT have appealed to Engineers Without Borders (EWB) for technical assistance. Having completed an initial assessment of the water system, the EWB team is in the process of developing solutions and planning for the expansion of the distribution network.

Community Narrative
In the mid 1990s, a waterborne disease called guinea worm was common in several areas of the Volta Region. Community leaders in the area surrounding Mafi-Zongo recognized the need for clean water and began exploring their options. In a neighboring area, AMURT was assisting others with similar concerns. Community members approached AMURT with their desire for clean water.

AMURT agreed to help the Mafi-Zongo communities. Over two years, the communities formed a Water Management Committee, and AMURT began shaping an agreement that would allow the water project to move forward. While AMURT provided technical assistance and funding for the water system, the communities provided labor, support and individuals trained in the operation and maintenance of the water system.

Engineers working with AMURT completed the treatment facility and pipeline network design in early 2004. By 2005, the Water Management Committee coordinated over 16 kilometers of trenches for supply and distribution. In the villages, women began chipping rocks for use in the concrete mixture needed. Groups worked together to construct the treatment facility and water storage tank. Construction was completed in March 2005 and the first water was delivered in May 2005.

There have been several positive ancillary developments that have resulted from the community spirit of this project. While AMURT was arranging technical assistance and raising funds for construction, the community members initiated a medical clinic staffed by trained villagers. The self-sufficient clinic treats common illnesses and dispenses medication as well as offers midwife services.

“Rock-chipping” began as a tool for decreasing the costs of construction. Today, the community members use "rock-chipping" as a source of income. In addition, communities have also self-organized a Women’s Community Health Committee that discusses issues affecting the Mafi-Zongo area.

These efforts have been supported by local government officials. Moreover, because the District Chief Executive views this project as part of the Volta Region development, he has offered to expand the dam to deliver water to a larger number of communities.

Water System Process
The water system utilizes a watershed to store precipitation behind a dam. The water drains to a treatment facility where it undergoes filtration. The filtered water collects in a chamber where it is pumped to a storage tank on top of a 70 meter rock outcropping. The water is gravity-fed to a distribution network connecting the villages.

Implementation of the project includes trained operators who dispense the filtered water through a network of 21 standpipes. Villagers are charged a nominal fee for maintenance and material costs.

Since the operational stage began in May 2005, the water system has not performed at full capacity. Setbacks are slow filtration rates, inadequate drainage, water losses, poor water quality and concerns about the reservoir capacity. Because of these setbacks, AMURT and the local community began searching for technical assistance.

EWB Project Personnel
Project Manager: Amanda Plourde

Professional Mentor: Ty Morton

Professional Mentor: Scott Beeson

Professional Engineer: Sowmya Somnath

Watershed Scientist: Jared Buono

Hydrologist: Samantha Treese

Civil Engineer: David Newman

Aerospace & Mechanical Engineer: George Kwok

Chemical Engineer: Jessica Jones

Civil Engineer: Elizabeth McGehee

Public Health: John McElligott

Click here to read the Project Proposal