Sept '22 Project Status Update: Final Stages of Approval

Vera Aqua Vera Vita (VAVV) is getting excited for the start of construction on Las Mercedes KM11’s clean water solution!

Coordinating with the Piura Regional Government, the Power Grid Authority in Piura (ENOSA), and the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MTC) to advance final approvals for the proposed project, VAVV hopes to get final approval construction permits approved within the next month! Our Peru Projects and Programs Director has been hard at work as the primary contact between Vera Aqua Vera Vita (on behalf of the community of Las Mercedes KM11) and the various bodies of the Piura governance.

The Piura Regional Government (GRP) officially started reviewing our technical construction plans on Sept. 9. They expect to give final approval on the project as well as full construction capital cost estimates within the next few weeks. Getting the final project approval and cost estimates will mark a huge milestone in Las Mercedes KM11’s progress to clean water!

A small section of the pipeline to pump surface water to the community will cross underneath the Pan-American Highway via an existing underpass. This crossing requires the acquisition of a permit authorizing the use of the highway Right of Way (ROW) which has VAVV working closely with the Peru Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MTC) to receive authorization for the proposed crossing.

A location map of VAVV’s design plan, highlighting the intersection of the Pan-American Highway with the clean water pipeline.

On Sept. 16, the MTC sent engineers to the cross section of the highway to evaluate any potential design constraints which led VAVV to contract dedicated topographic surveyor Luis Solis on Sept. 26 to do detailed topographic surveys of the ROW around the highway crossing to properly address any propsed design concerns.

The Panamerican Highway underpass in Las Mercedes KM11 via which the proposed water pipeline will cross to convey water from the source to the treatment facility in the heart of the community.

Additionally this month we submitted our plans and documentation to ENOSA, who is the power provider in Piura, requesting approval to supply the project’s many water pumps with power. 

Please pray that next month we will acquire full project approval and completed cost estimates so we can begin to secure funding and search for a construction contractor to build Las Mercedes KM11’s clean water system infrastructure. 

Together, we can spread True Water True Life across the globe!