October Project Updates: Legal Breakthroughs & Construction Readiness
As October comes to a close, Vera Aqua Vera Vita is thrilled to share significant progress from both of our clean water projects in the Piura region of Peru. This month marked a pivotal breakthrough in Las Mercedes KM11, where years of groundwork culminated in the official approval of the community’s land easement—one of the final prerequisites before construction begins. Meanwhile, in La Merced, our team has been hard at work building the legal and technical foundation needed to advance from planning into design, keeping momentum steady toward a sustainable clean water solution. Together, these developments bring us closer to realizing our mission of delivering True Water, True Life to over 1,400 people across both communities!
Securing the Future with Land and Leadership in Las Mercedes KM11
October proved to be one of the most decisive months yet for Las Mercedes KM11, marking a legal victory years in the making. Throughout the month, the Vera Aqua Vera Vita team attended multiple meetings with the Municipality of Piura to secure an official easement—a legal right of land use that allows the construction of permanent infrastructure such as the ground storage tank, reservoir, and water kiosk. These meetings, which began in early October, culminated in a Municipal Council Assembly held on October 23, during which the General Assembly voted to approve the easement for the benefit of the Las Mercedes KM11 community. This decision was officially finalized on October 30, when the Mayor of the Provincial Municipality of Piura signed the formal resolution granting the easement.
This milestone represents more than just a legal achievement; it signifies the formal partnership between VAVV, local authorities, and the community—an essential alliance to ensure the long-term sustainability of the clean water system.
While these legal processes were underway, the Water Committee and VAVV team continued their weekly coordination meetings throughout the entire month of October. These sessions focused on improving maintenance and operations procedures, refining system management, and tightening revenue and expense controls to strengthen the financial sustainability of the project. Through these conversations, the Water Committee demonstrated consistent accountability and a shared vision for ensuring that the water system can sustain itself long after construction is complete.
Meanwhile, the Water Tanker Truck—which began operating earlier this year—has continued to make a remarkable impact on community life. The regular delivery of clean water has encouraged more families to move back into Las Mercedes KM11, restoring vibrancy to the area and underscoring the power of reliable access to water in fostering community growth and stability. This operational success is the fruit of years of patient partnership, faith, and perseverance between VAVV, local leaders, and residents who now see tangible results flowing into their daily lives.
Looking Ahead in LM KM11
As the project heads into November, the focus shifts toward translating this legal victory into construction readiness. The next step will be to secure a signed Funding Plan Resolution with the Regional Government of Piura (GRP) in the first week of November, which will allocate funding for total structural and labor construction costs from the GRP, combined with machinery and equipment investments covered by VAVV. Following that, during the second week of November, VAVV will work with the community to purchase and install a GPS and alarm system on the Water Tanker Truck to ensure the vehicle’s safety and transparency in daily operations. Finally, by the fourth week of November, the GRP is scheduled to contract a construction firm and host a formal kickoff meeting to begin building the ground storage tank and water kiosk, marking the long-awaited start of on-the-ground construction.
Each of these next steps will bring Las Mercedes KM11 closer to full self-sufficiency, where clean water flows consistently, sustainably, and under the stewardship of the very people it serves.
Building the Foundation for La Merced’s New Clean Water System
In La Merced, the month of October was marked by steady and purposeful progress as the VAVV team worked to lay the essential legal and technical groundwork for the community’s future clean water system. Early in the month, through a local processor, VAVV conducted detailed research in the public records to identify and verify all property owners associated with the parcel of land intended for infrastructure development. This due diligence ensures that the project’s legal framework is sound and that the organization has full clarity on land ownership before any formal agreements are executed.
By the third week of October, VAVV officially submitted a complete technical record to the Provincial Municipality of Piura, requesting land use rights—known as an easement—for the entire parcel of property on which the groundwater well and associated infrastructure will be constructed. This request explicitly seeks permission to build across the full extent of the parcel, allowing flexibility to expand the infrastructure as needed to best serve the community. Then, on October 31, VAVV formally reaffirmed its request for easement use rights, emphasizing the urgency of the project and its readiness to begin design as soon as authorization is granted.
These legal and administrative steps reflect VAVV’s proactive collaboration with local authorities to ensure that every phase of the project meets Peruvian regulatory standards while remaining deeply community-centered.
Looking forward in La Merced
November will be a crucial month for La Merced as the project transitions from paperwork to planning. During the second week of November, the VAVV team will host a formal kickoff meeting with the Engineering Team to initiate the planning and design of the groundwater well and water distribution system. By the third week of November, VAVV expects to receive an official response from the Provincial Municipality of Piura regarding the easement and potential funding commitments, which will determine the legal and financial path for construction. Also in the third week of November, the organization plans to hire a hydrogeologist consultant to perform a geoelectrical study of the land. This study will scientifically determine the best possible location within the easement to drill the well, ensuring that the project maximizes water yield, quality, and long-term viability.
The progress in La Merced may still be at the foundational stage, but it represents a community and a team fully aligned toward one goal: establishing a safe, sustainable, and locally managed water system that will transform daily life for 200 residents.
Moving Forward Together
With the land easement finalized in Las Mercedes KM11 and critical legal filings underway in La Merced, October stands as a month of breakthrough for Vera Aqua Vera Vita and the people of Piura. Every signed resolution, meeting, and milestone achieved represents the combined effort of donors, engineers, and local leaders working together to make clean water not just a promise but a reality.
As we look toward November, both projects are positioned for decisive movement—from finalized funding agreements to the first stages of construction and design. These moments remind us that sustainable change takes perseverance, partnership, and faith—and that each small step brings us closer to lasting transformation.
Your continued support makes these achievements possible. To help us carry these projects across the finish line and ensure that water continues to flow for the families of Las Mercedes KM11 and La Merced, please consider making a gift today for our Giving Tuesday campaign which is now underway!
