Malingua Pamba, Ecuador
Malingua Pamba is a mountain community in the Ecuadorean Andes at 10,000 feet in elevation. Currently, water for potable use is piped from uphill springs and distributed to the central village and to surrounding areas. Because of the natural mountainous landscape, the water delivery system is subject to huge elevation drops, causing excessive pressures in the water lines. EWB-Denver’s assessment determined that the system lacks pressure control; water lines are not optimally sized; lines are of variable quality and subject to leaking and breakage; and, source area protection is lacking. As a result, despite an adequate source of supply, water is inadvertently wasted and distribution is unreliable. Through a series of implementation trips in 2007 and 2008, EWB-Denver has constructed pressure-break tanks, replaced lines, improved the distribution design, and has provided instruction and training to community members on system repair and maintenance. Additional implementation trips will be needed to continue this work and to ensure that a sustainable system is functioning for the village and surrounding areas.
The community has also initiated development of three irrigation diversion and distribution systems to supplement available water in the traditional growing season and to support dry season irrigation in some areas. Although the distribution systems are incomplete and in need of repair, the community has successfully irrigated some areas from these systems and demonstrated benefits from the improved water supply. EWB-Denver has conducted assessment activities to identify needs for the system repair and build-out and is currently seeking funding to begin implementation of work on the irrigation system.
A report has been prepared to document conditions in Malingua Pamba and EWB-Denver’s involvement. The project report can be downloaded using the links below. Additional information on the community can be found on the NGO’s website at www.escuelaminga.org.
Download the Malingua Pamba project report:
Malingua Pamba Report, Main Text and Appendices A & B
Malingua Pamba Report, Appendix C
Malingua Pamba Report, Appendix D
Malingua Pamba Report, Appendix E
