Feb '23 Project Status Update: Water Rights Verbally Approved

The Planning and Engineering team for the clean water system project in Las Mercedes KM11 (LMKM11) located in Piura, Peru, has received exciting news this month. The team has received verbal confirmation from ANA (National Water Authority) in Peru that the LMKM11 will be granted water rights to the proposed system’s water source, a crucial milestone for the project.

However, getting to this point was not without its challenges. The ANA had to send teams out multiple teams to the project location due to overgrowth plant life obscuring proper data collection (see image to the right) after the VAVV team had already spent a couple of months preparing the application package, performing capacity evaluations both projections & field studies, and addressing substantial feedback from ANA after the initially submitted request

After concluding that there was in fact enough water to supply the project safely, there was no reason to hold back approval. The team hopes to receive written confirmation from the ANA in short order. 

The Planning and Engineering team has also made substantial progress in conversations with various land owners to secure easements to run the waterline through their properties. Still ongoin, the team is discussing with legal representatives of the landowners to formalize the approvals.

Despite some of the slower going efforts, the team remains committed to the project's success and has worked tirelessly to overcome challenges. The next step for the Planning and Engineering team is to submit two applications to different governmental bodies next month to receive the second round of water rights and approval to pass the pipeline under the Pan-American highway.

Once these approvals are obtained, the construction phase of the project can begin. The team hopes to receive revised project cost estimates from the Piura Regional Government in the coming weeks. The construction phase will involve laying the pipeline, connecting it to the community's water source, and constructing the water storage and filtration system among other things. The team is looking to start capital fundraising efforts within the next month. 

The team will continue to work hard to make this project a reality until all 1,000+ people in the community have access to sustainable, reliable, clean water. With continued hard work and dedication, the team hopes to bring clean water to this community soon and make a meaningful difference in people's lives!