My tendency on our blog is typically to post more fun stuff and side trips as opposed to stuff about work. Regardless, the work on the chlorination system for the clean water system in Carabuela has continued.
Things have NOT gone smoothly. The idea was that early on in our time here we would have the chlorination system up and running and the majority of our time would be spent helping adjust and regulate the chlorine levels while training the community water overseers on how to do this for themselves.
But the company that imported and installed these chlorine pumps ran into big trouble.One flow meter that measures the amount of water passing through a 4 inch pipe was the wrong model and cannot communicate with the chlorine pump. This company now has to wait a month for the new flow meter to be imported. Strike one.
The second chlorine pump that will dose the majority of the water system could not be turned on until we replaced some plumbing on the pump inlet and got a new base installed and welded down to some metal pieces embedded in the cement floor. Needed to do this: a welder we didn’t have and more precious time. Strike two.
This installation and welding took some effort and coordination. Thanks to Roberto, an Ecuadorian water engineer with HCJB Global, we were finally able to accomplish this. We finished that day all excited because we were able to start injecting chlorine into the majority of the water system. (This chlorine pump did not need a flow meter because we know the capacity of the main water pump and base the chlorine dosing on that known amount of water flow--about 7 liters per second.)
We returned to the community a week later ready to take chlorine readings throughout the system. However, when we arrived the president of the community water committee told us the chlorine pump had died after just 3 or 4 days of operation. Further investigation revealed that the metal shaft that comes out of the motor and turns to operate the pump mechanism was sheared off. It broke after just a few days when it should work for years and years. Something must be wrong in the dosing lines or with the pump itself. But because this Ecuadorian company installed this pump we need to wait for them to repair or replace it so we don’t get stuck with the cost of the second pump. Who knows how long this might take. Strike three.
The student’s last day on the project will be this coming Thursday so there will be little if any time for monitoring chlorine levels. Fortunately the entire project doesn’t ride on our shoulders. HCJB Global Water Projects has been working on the Carabuela water project for several years before this summer and will continue to help them after we are gone and until it is functioning well.
My only frustration is that we couldn’t be more of a part of the process. But it has been a realistic experience for the students. Projects, especially in developing countries, don’t always go as planned. Our prayer has been that God will be glorified in this community by the work, words and water that HCJB Global provides.
More important than pipes and pumps are the relationships we develop and that Christ’s light shines through us. One of my HCJB Global colleagues is fond of saying, “Preach the Gospel always, use words when necessary.” Her point is that God’s love can shine through in our actions and interactions—making a powerful nonverbal testimony about Jesus through our lives. I pray that Carabuela sees a glimpse of the Truth through our efforts. Batter up! Keep swinging for the fence.
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