Later that month, EWB-NY's Matunda Team made an initial implementation trip to the Lugari district of Kenya, completing another phase in a project that aims to provide safe, clean drinking water using a sustainable means and a wastewater management system to a hospital in the area that serves a community of over 20,000 persons. The team of young energetic engineers, led by Yurintzy Estrada of AECOM alongside Steven Morse and Adam Trescott of Louis Berger, set about breaking the ground for the early stages of well construction. The team of engineers was accompanied by Tania Zapata and Antonio Camacho of TLA Productions, a team of filmmakers working on a documentary film of the project.

During this first implementation trip, the team drilled a 400-foot deep borehole at the hospital and conducted a 24-hour step draw-down pump test to assess the yield and to properly size an electrical submersible pump. Next, the team installed a temporary water holding tank for use in conjunction with the pump that provides water at a rate of 8.8 gallons per minute.

With the technical work well underway under the watchful and excited eyes of the children and village people, the team took time to introduce the community to Kamadep—a Kenya-based group that specializes in community outreach and education for water system management. Through its network of consultants, the alliance with Kamadep will serve to further the education and knowledge of the proper use of the new system. Kamadep has already held meetings to explain the importance of the project and the role and responsibility of the community to the ultimate success of the water system and will provide further training throughout the year. This partnership promises to be very beneficial for the two groups involved but mainly for the community as it will ensure the sustainability of the project.

The next phase of the project will include the construction of a plumbing and drainage system as well as the installation of a water treatment system and a permanent water holding tank. The entire team of volunteers devotes a lot of time and effort to plan and raise funds to ensure that this community of people in Kenya will have a better quality of life. The Matunda Team realized the work that lies before them and looks forward to the challenge of bringing clean drinking water to the people of Matunda.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB-USA) is a non-profit humanitarian organization that partners with developing communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life. ASCE has an affiliation agreement with EWB-USA that allows its members to join EWB-USA at a discounted rate. To learn more about the EWB-NY's work in Kenya, visit the Matunda Water Project website.