Naranjal, Cemaco, Panama

Naranjal is a community on the Chico River in the Emberá-Wounaan Comarca of Panama. The community is only accessible by river, and the terrain is generally flat. Entering the community, you will find 40 homes and one school, with a population of approximately 300 people. The electrical grid services the community, but the community does not have access to a potable water system and lives off a limited water system infrastructure.

With the funding support of the Latter Day Saints Charities, Solea Water has been able to design and implement a potable water system infrastructure. The community of Naranjal now has a functioning potable water system and access to clean water.

Population: 300

Project: Potable Water System

Project Funding: Latter Day Saints Charities

Project Map

Engineering Report

Project Details

PHASE 1

Upon assessment of the community’s existing infrastructure, it was determined that the current project would implement a communitywide potable water system. Each home, as well as the school, would be connected to the system. It would utilize the existing water tank, but all other components will be new. In addition, Solea would work with the local water committee to train them on the water system's operation, maintenance, and management.

PHASE 2

Solea Water’s intern Chandler was sent with Solea’s in-country team into Naranjal to bring the supplies and assist the community in implementing the water system design. Solea’s team worked to develop a distribution network from the infiltration well near the river Rio Chico to the elevated water tank and into the community homes. Community members were hands-on in the process and eager to complete construction.

Phase 3

After completing the installation, Solea’s team tested the system to ensure it pumped enough water for the community and lab-tested the water quality to ensure it was safe. Our testing looked for high levels of heavy metals and bacteriological contaminants.

ONGOING WORK

Water Committee training and support are ongoing in Naranjal. As an organization committed to long-term partnerships with the communities in which we work, we routinely return to Corozal to help the water committee address any problems or maintenance issues they might have.