Jan. '23 Project Status Update: Impact Reports
January saw the completion of two integral impact reports and both were thanks to our strong partnerships and volunteers on the ground in Piura; VAVV has prepared a complete environmental impact report for our current clean water project in Las Mercedes KM11, and a fully complete post-project impact survey for Monte Castillo after 3 years of their clean water system operating!
For our planning and engineering team to receive approval to run Las Mercedes KM11’s proposed pipeline underneath the Pan-American highway, VAVV must present a full environmental impact report on our project. On Jan. 30th – after collecting all necessary data and compiling documentation – our team finished preparation of the environmental impact report and resolved some concerns.
Peru Projects and Program Director Ricardo Arbulu Guerra explained the situation was related to the positioning of Las Mercedes KM11.
“[Las Mercedes KM11 is located in] a region that is facing some drought,” Ricardo wrote. “But we still can proceed.”
This report is the last big piece to the Ministry of Transportation application for the project’s proposed pipeline crossing under the highway. After a few additional efforts, the plan is to submit the application within the next couple of weeks. Our team is so close to finally receiving approval and starting to get bids to construct the solution that will bring positive, sustainable change for the community of 1,000+!
Meanwhile, VAVV just completed a post-project assessment to objectively evaluate the positive change of access to clean water for the community of Monte Castillo, the first project VAVV ever did! After having just received 140 household surveys, very soon VAVV will begin a comprehensive analysis of the data.
Even at first glance at the Post-Project Survey Data, Founder Jacob Niemeier noticed some incredibly positive statistics.
“Now, less than 15% of the people in the community suffer from Chronic waterborne illnesses (i.e. Diarrhea, Persistent Stomach Pain, etc.) compared to what was over 50% of the population before our clean water project,” Jacob wrote. “This is amazing progress!”
After three years of clean, accessible water, we hope these statistics are barely the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for our comprehensive findings in Monte Castillo in the coming weeks and months!
