Water Purification in Peru

Written by Deb P.

Thanks to St. Paul Parish in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin, the 2019 Outreach Team were able to provide 80 water purification systems  and 20 replacement filters for systems that already existed.

How important are these systems to families? We are very fortunate to have somewhat pathogen-free water where we live in the United States. In Paita, Peru, the water is obtained from the Piura River. It contains many chemicals used in farming rice, bananas, grapes, etc. This water is processed through the water treatment plant located between Paita and Piura. In 2015, we had the opportunity to visit the plant. According to Professor Doug from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), it is a similar process to that done in the USA. The state of Piura does the best they can do with a 30-year-old water system.

Click on any picture below to enlarge.

Process of Cleaning the Water from the Piura River

Manager Explaining how it Works

Testing the Water Every Two Hours Before Leaving the Plant

Water Coming In From Piura River

The water comes out of the water treatment plant pathogen-free. However, there are many problems once it leaves the plant. People steal water by drilling a hole in the water pipes that are located above ground. Pathogens enter the system through these openings. Also, the water is only turned on for several hours a day, allowing the pathogens to also multiply from water backwashing and sitting in the pipes.

When the city water is available for use, homes must collect their water in a tank located on their roof tops. When needed, it runs down to a concrete cistern located  somewhere in  their home. In the home of the Sisters, it is located in  their laundry room,

Some people do not have running water and the water has to be delivered to their community in tank trucks. This is another possibility that pathogens will enter the water. They must purchase the water in their own 5-gallon buckets and walk these buckets to their home. Sometimes, they purchase 6 to 8 buckets at a time.

One of the Cisterns, Water is Delivered by the City and People Buy it.

As in Mexico and Central and South America, DO NOT DRINK THE WATER! You will get sick. Our medical team treated 1,600 patients for intestinal parasites. One can obtain these parasites from water, food, through your feet by walking in sand (hookworms), the toilet and unsanitary conditions.

One way to prevent intestinal problems is by drinking purified water. One system cost St. Paul Parish about $125. Each system provides about 6,000 gallons of purified water. With our experience over the past six years, each system lasts about 2 to 3 years.
Each family provided with this water system must clean it once or twice a month. They must test it to make sure it is purifying the water properly. It takes some work to maintain their system but must be done in order to get purified water. The people who have received a system are really thankful for the system. (The sisters look at the needs of each family and decides which family is to receive a system.)

Click on any picture below to enlarge.

Water Systems in the Hall of the Convent

Doug Filling Bottles With Red Food Dye for Testing Systems

Marc Getting Help From a Student after Systems are moved Outside

Marc and Michael Drilling Holes in Covers

Other Students Join Marc and Jon

1. How does this water purifier work? (Two bucket system on table below.)
1. Take a 5-gallon bucket and fill it up with unfiltered water.
2. Pour the unfiltered water into the top bucket of this two-bucket water purification system. Put cover on top of bucket to keep out bugs and dirt.
3. Let the water drip to the bottom 5-gallon bucket containing the purified water.
4. Obtain the purified water using the spigot on the bottom bucket. 

Deb Training Mom With Baby, Who was Late for Training

IT'S THAT SIMPLE!!

Thanks to the team,  and especially to Marc S., who worked so diligently to finish drilling the bucket and cover holes after being without electricity for two days. Everyone was tired by Thursday evening. God gave Marc the gift of energy and he and a few others were able to complete the assembly and testing of these systems.  Also, thanks to Nancy and Michael for helping. I know how tired and/or sick you were that evening. Y'all  are awesome team players. It was a pleasure working with you!.

On Friday, we had to carry all the systems outside, where we were going to hold the training for all the families. Thanks to everyone who helped and especially to Jon for helping to carry the buckets outside. I know you had some back problems and yet you continued to help. Thank you!

Woman Receiving Replacement Water Filters

Mom Receiving System from Jon

Mom Receiving a System from Deb