January Project Status Update: Expanding the Mission and Laying New Foundations
January marks an important new beginning for Vera Aqua Vera Vita. For the first time, we are sharing updates from four active project communities—Las Mercedes KM11, La Merced, Totoral Bajo, and Las Mercedes—reflecting a significant expansion of our clean water mission in Peru. This update also includes a first look at a new initiative now underway: an atmospheric water condenser system, paired with solar power and modular infrastructure, that will expand how and where we can deliver clean water. Together, these announcements signal a pivotal moment of growth as we move into 2026 with more communities, new technology, and a clearer path to lasting impact!
Las Mercedes KM11 (LM KM11): Strengthening Governance While Awaiting Final Approval
In Las Mercedes KM11, January continued to demonstrate the stabilizing impact of consistent water access. Throughout the month, more families continued moving back into the community, supported by the daily availability of clean water through the Water Tanker Truck system. At the same time, the Water Committee met weekly with the VAVV team throughout all of January, continuing focused work on improving maintenance and operations procedures, system management, and revenue and expense controls to ensure the system remains financially and operationally sustainable.
On the governance side, the newly elected JASS board members formally submitted their request for acknowledgment before the Municipality of Piura – District of Piura. During the third and fourth weeks of January, the committee also began debating and refining the articles of their statutes in preparation for full registration as a legal entity in the Public Records. This step is critical to ensuring the community can independently manage the system once construction is complete.
Despite this progress, the project remains delayed due to a holdup at the regional government level. The Funding Agreement docket has continued moving through the internal review process and has been in the drafting office since January 15, taking longer than anticipated. This delay remains the primary barrier preventing the start of construction on the ground storage tank and distribution kiosk.
Looking ahead, February is expected to be a decisive month. The community plans to approve the JASS statutes in a new General Assembly and complete official registration with the local municipality and Public Records during the first week of February. The critical target date for the approved and signed Funding Plan Resolution from the Regional Government is February 18, 2026. Once secured, the project will move quickly toward contracting a builder, installing a GPS and alarm system on the water truck, and holding the formal construction kickoff for the storage tank and kiosk.
La Merced: Navigating Land Rights with Persistence and Partnership
In La Merced, January was shaped by continued community-led efforts to secure legal land rights—work that remains complex but essential for long-term success. Throughout all of January, community members continued direct conversations with PECHP, the Regional Government of Piura (GRP), and the Ministry of Agriculture, seeking allocation of private land ownership on a one-property-per-family basis including the designated Communal Property where we intend to drill the well.
During the third and fourth weeks of January, the community also met to evaluate a potential new project location where we could drill a well on land belonging to a village member. After careful consideration, the community collectively decided to rule out that site, as it was not located at a practical distance from the center of the village. This decision reflects thoughtful local leadership and a commitment to ensuring that any future water system will be accessible and equitable for all residents.
At this time, the project remains delayed due to the lack of a signed easement or confirmed property rights. However, January reinforced the community’s active engagement and willingness to continue advocating for a solution. Looking into February, conversations with PECHP, GRP, and the Ministry of Agriculture will continue throughout the month, with VAVV providing technical and strategic support. In parallel, the project team hopes to meet with the Engineering Team in late February to commence formal planning and design of the water system infrastructure once land rights are secured.
Las Mercedes: Formal Organization and Early Technical Planning
January also marked the formal start of VAVV’s work in Las Mercedes, a newly added partner community. During the month, VAVV completed the corporate documentation needed to incorporate the community as a legal entity, enabling it to sign agreements and hold easements related to the clean water project.
Looking ahead to February, the community’s leaders will officially signed a Scope of Services Agreement dictating the terms of VAVV’s work in the community. Following that, the community plans to gather a General Assembly of approximately 50 villagers, including 20 founding members, to formally create and incorporate the Association of Villagers of Las Mercedes during the first week of the month. In the latter half of February, a Hydrogeologist consultant will be contracted to conduct a geo-electrical study to objectively determine the best location within the property we’ve been given to drill a well.
Totoral Bajo: A New Partnership and a Clear Technical Direction
January marked the official launch of VAVV’s work in Totoral Bajo, a new partner community with a distinct technical context. Early in the month, the community provided underground studies confirming that no groundwater is available, meaning the clean water solution will rely on a surface water uptake structure rather than a well.
On January 5, the community shared documentation confirming that it is already established as a legal entity capable of signing agreements and project documents. Shortly after, on January 10, community leaders hosted VAVV’s local sub-consultant, walking through the village to present their needs, geography, demographics, dwelling structures, and sector layout. This visit helped ground the project in the lived reality of the community and informs early technical considerations as initial data collection is underway.
Looking ahead to February, Totoral Bajo is preparing to sign a Scope of Services Agreement during the second week of the month, formally committing to the partnership. Additionally, further data collection evaluating viable and shortlisting prospective viable water sources will get underway at the end of February.
Additional Project Spotlight: Shipping Container, Solar, and Atmospheric Water Generator System
In addition to community-based projects, January also brought progress on an innovative clean water initiative: a Shipping Container–based system powered by solar panels and an Atmospheric Water Generator, developed in collaboration with the UT Dallas EPICS program. Learn more about the incredible work this team of students did and their experiences along the way. Thanks to this EPICS team’s deliverables, the conceptual and preliminary design phase is now complete.
Currently, VAVV is in the process of engaging a volunteer CAD technician to clean up and formalize the design drawings produced by the EPICS team. This step is essential to ensure the system can move from concept to build-ready documentation. The goal is to complete all design work by the end of February 2026, positioning this project for funding, building, and deployment in the coming months and testing as a scalable clean water solution!
Looking Ahead
January represents both continuity and expansion for Vera Aqua Vera Vita. With four active community projects and an innovative technology solution being developed, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of meaningful momentum. Beginning this month, our Project Status Updates will continue to reflect this growth—providing consistent, transparent reporting across all four active projects as we work toward sustainable clean water for every community we serve.
Thank you for walking with us into this next chapter. With your support, together, we can continue to bring True Water, True Life!
