Start Date
7-3-2024 10:30 AM
Abstract
Purdue University's service-learning course, Water Supply in Developing Countries (WSDC) is dedicated to ensuring access to safe drinking water in the La Vega region of the Dominican Republic. The focus in the current academic year is to enhance the functionality, sustainability, and independence of community-based water treatment systems installed by previous WSDC students. Despite the construction of four water systems since 2012, operational challenges ensued, rendering them currently inoperable. Our objective is to learn from past mistakes, restore the systems and ensure their continuous functionality. During the fall semester, class members assessed repair needs in two communities with existing systems, identified the root cause for inoperability, and are currently applying these insights as we plan a fifth system in Desecho. In the fall, a water supply well was successfully installed in Desecho. To further improve water supply and quality, the plan for the spring includes returning to Desecho to install the fifth treatment unit ensuring a continuous supply of clean water for the school.
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Sustainable Water Treatment Systems in the La Vega Region of the Dominican Republic
Purdue University's service-learning course, Water Supply in Developing Countries (WSDC) is dedicated to ensuring access to safe drinking water in the La Vega region of the Dominican Republic. The focus in the current academic year is to enhance the functionality, sustainability, and independence of community-based water treatment systems installed by previous WSDC students. Despite the construction of four water systems since 2012, operational challenges ensued, rendering them currently inoperable. Our objective is to learn from past mistakes, restore the systems and ensure their continuous functionality. During the fall semester, class members assessed repair needs in two communities with existing systems, identified the root cause for inoperability, and are currently applying these insights as we plan a fifth system in Desecho. In the fall, a water supply well was successfully installed in Desecho. To further improve water supply and quality, the plan for the spring includes returning to Desecho to install the fifth treatment unit ensuring a continuous supply of clean water for the school.