Shisasari Community Fresh Water Protection Project
Format
SOECS Senior Project Demonstration
Faculty Mentor Name
Gary Litton
Abstract/Artist Statement
Approximately 6,000 children die everyday of preventable water-borne illnesses. The technology needed to prevent these illnesses is not readily available in many developing areas, leaving that region's inhabitants particularly vulnerable. One such community is Shisasari, in Western Kenya, where water-related problems not only cause health and safety detriments, but also have negative social implications. For this reason, it is necessary that water system improvements be designed to improve quality of life in the Shisasari Community. The project team established a seven-step approach to project completion: 1. Conduct background research of Kenyan culture, construction logistics, and applicable regulations. 2. Develop alternatives to solve engineering problems facing the community. 3. Finalize alternatives based on feasibility analysis 4. Complete design of the selected alternatives in water collection, storage, treatment, and conveyance. 5. Conduct life-cycle cost analysis of design components. 6. Create an implementation plan, including construction management and an educational brochure discussing benefits of safe drinking water. 7. Research grants and other potential fundraising efforts for project implementation. It has been determined the optimal design consists of a spring box for source protection, prefabricated tanks for storage, chlorination for treatment, and a solar pump to initiate conveyance. The final project presentation consists of greater insight to the struggles faced by the Shisasari community, as well as detailed methodology and analysis of each project component. The definitive aim of the presentation is to communicate the importance of this project and show how it will ultimately improve the quality of life of the Shisasari community.
Location
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Start Date
3-5-2008 2:00 PM
End Date
3-5-2008 3:30 PM
Shisasari Community Fresh Water Protection Project
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Approximately 6,000 children die everyday of preventable water-borne illnesses. The technology needed to prevent these illnesses is not readily available in many developing areas, leaving that region's inhabitants particularly vulnerable. One such community is Shisasari, in Western Kenya, where water-related problems not only cause health and safety detriments, but also have negative social implications. For this reason, it is necessary that water system improvements be designed to improve quality of life in the Shisasari Community. The project team established a seven-step approach to project completion: 1. Conduct background research of Kenyan culture, construction logistics, and applicable regulations. 2. Develop alternatives to solve engineering problems facing the community. 3. Finalize alternatives based on feasibility analysis 4. Complete design of the selected alternatives in water collection, storage, treatment, and conveyance. 5. Conduct life-cycle cost analysis of design components. 6. Create an implementation plan, including construction management and an educational brochure discussing benefits of safe drinking water. 7. Research grants and other potential fundraising efforts for project implementation. It has been determined the optimal design consists of a spring box for source protection, prefabricated tanks for storage, chlorination for treatment, and a solar pump to initiate conveyance. The final project presentation consists of greater insight to the struggles faced by the Shisasari community, as well as detailed methodology and analysis of each project component. The definitive aim of the presentation is to communicate the importance of this project and show how it will ultimately improve the quality of life of the Shisasari community.