March Project Update: Construction Nears, New Data Guides Decisions, and Partnerships Deepen
March brought meaningful progress across Vera Aqua Vera Vita’s four active clean water projects in rural Peru. While each community remains in a different phase of development, this month was marked by stronger technical clarity, deeper community participation, and several key milestones that are positioning multiple projects for important movement in April. From construction coordination in Las Mercedes KM11 to new well-location validation in Las Mercedes, sustained land-rights advocacy in La Merced, and expanded field data collection in Totoral Bajo, the work continues to move forward with purpose and persistence.
Las Mercedes KM11 (1,200 people): Construction Coordination Advances While Local Governance Grows
In Las Mercedes KM11, March reflected the clearest movement yet toward the start of construction. Throughout all of March, more families continued moving into the community, supported by the reliable Water Tanker Truck supply that has already begun reshaping daily life in the village. At the same time, the Water Committee continued its weekly meetings with VAVV throughout the month, focusing on maintenance and operations procedures, system management, and stronger revenue and expense controls to optimize the long-term sustainability of the system.
A major milestone came on March 17, when the Regional Government of Piura received the final signed copies of the Funding Agreement and scheduled a kickoff meeting for construction coordination. Then, on March 20, the JASS made an important internal governance decision: rather than proceeding with approximately 60 members, it chose to significantly expand its membership to 200 people, and has since been gathering additional signatures to complete registration. This is a significant sign of community buy-in and broadening local ownership, even if it also adds one more step before final Public Records registration can be completed.
The next month is set up to be highly consequential. VAVV and the Regional Government are scheduled to meet on April 1 for the official kickoff conversation regarding the first steps of construction. The JASS is expected to complete registration in Public Records during the second week of April, and the community is planning to purchase a GPS and alarm system for the truck in the fourth week of April to strengthen security and accountability around the current water delivery system. Las Mercedes KM11 remains the furthest along of our active projects, and March made it clear that the long-awaited shift from preparation into construction is drawing closer.
Las Mercedes (1,200 people): Technical Clarity Improves as Well Siting Nears Confirmation
In Las Mercedes, March brought some of the strongest technical progress yet for this newly active project. On March 8, previously collected water quality tests were translated and assessed, confirming that the water is fit for human consumption. This early result is important because it helps frame the type of system that may ultimately be needed and provides more clarity about how the source water can support the community.
Then, on March 21, geoelectrical surveys were carried out in the community to confirm the location of the future well. Those survey results were then assigned on March 25 to two different engineers for independent review and confirmation of the conclusions. That layered review process reflects a careful and methodical approach to selecting the best drilling location before any costly and irreversible infrastructure step is taken.
April is expected to move this project into a more actionable planning stage. In the first week of April, VAVV engineers are expected to confirm the drilling location after validating the geoelectrical results. During the second week of April, the community plans to gather a General Assembly of 50 villagers, including 20 founders, to create and incorporate the Association of Villagers of Las Mercedes, while VAVV also aims to order the drilling and pump test in that same timeframe. By the fourth week of April, the Engineering Team is expected to meet for formal planning and design of the water system infrastructure. For a project still in its early phases, March delivered strong technical progress and set up several important decisions for April.
La Merced (200 people): Property-Rights Advocacy Continues as the Community Organizes for the Future
La Merced remains in a delayed status, but March brought important signs of steady civic and institutional progress. The central challenge continues to be the same one that has shaped this project for months: securing the proper property rights and legal access needed to move the project forward in a durable and lawful way. This month, however, the work took on a more organized and collaborative shape.
On March 19, the community and VAVV moved forward in signing the Standard Scope of Services Agreement and Project Implementation Process, helping reinforce the working relationship and project plan needed for the phases ahead. Then, on March 30, village leaders visited the offices of the Regional Government of Piura to seek formal support on their request to PECHP regarding the adjudication of private lands and property rights by landowner or occupant. That visit reflects the increasing seriousness and visibility of the community’s advocacy efforts.
Looking ahead, April will focus heavily on coordinated advocacy and legal structuring. During the second week of April, village leaders and GRP officers — including the Deputy Manager of International Technical Cooperation — are expected to go together before PECHP to advocate for the adjudication of private property rights in favor of the villagers. At the same time, the community is expected to continue meeting personally with PECHP, GRP, and the Ministry of Agriculture throughout all of April, while also working to incorporate into a private legal entity that can formally receive easements and sign agreements. Even though the project remains delayed, March showed that La Merced is not standing still; rather, it is building the legal and organizational footing needed for a more secure and sustainable next phase.
Totoral Bajo (800 people): Community Data Collection Deepens as the Solution Takes Shape
In Totoral Bajo, March was a month of continued information gathering and local collaboration. Throughout all of March, community leaders kept providing VAVV with additional information about the demographics and geography of the different sectors of the community. This kind of detailed groundwork is especially important in Totoral Bajo, where the technical solution depends not on groundwater, but on a future river source water system that must be carefully designed around local needs, terrain, water capacity, and the fact that there are 6 distinct, unconnected sectors in this community.
Because this project is still in an early but active phase, the focus remains on determining the best overall solution and the most viable location for the infrastructure. March’s data-sharing helped refine that process, and the critical action item for VAVV was to request and lead the collection of information needed to decide the best solution and site. Community leaders have also been gathering additional information connected to land rights and the village’s future development plans — details that will influence both site selection and long-term feasibility.
In April, the next step will be deeper, more detailed field collection on water supply, demand, and river capacity, while leaders continue sharing information about land rights and long-term plans for the community. Totoral Bajo remains on time, and March helped fill in more of the technical and social picture needed to move from concept toward a clearly defined design path.
Looking Ahead & Invitation to Join the Project Impact
March showed that progress can take many different forms. In one community, it looks like a signed construction contract and an April kickoff meeting on the horizon. In another, it looks like leaders walking into government offices to keep pressing for land rights. In others, it looks like engineers reviewing geoelectrical data or community leaders continuing to map out demographics, geography, and future plans. Across all four active projects, the common thread is clear: lasting clean water solutions are being built through steady partnership, careful planning, and communities that are increasingly prepared to help lead their own future.
As this work continues to unfold, we’re reminded that the mission is not just something to support—it’s something you can step into. If you’ve ever felt called to serve, we invite you to consider joining us on our upcoming Mission Trip and Pilgrimage to Peru. It’s a chance to walk alongside the communities we serve, witness the impact of clean water firsthand, and experience a deeper encounter with faith through service. Come see, serve, and be part of bringing True Water, True Life to those who need it most.
