uPDATE on Butuo water project
This project was funded by Rotary Interational with the participation of the following clubs:
Rotary Club of Hong Kong South, Hong Kong, Hosting Club
International Partner – Rotary Club di Todi, Italy
Rotary District 3450 Hong Kong, Macao, Mongolia
Rotary District 3520 Taiwan
Rotary District 5040 British Columbia, Canada
Rotary Club of Bicester, England
Rotary Club of Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Rotary Club of Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Rotary Club of Shouson Hill, Hong Kong
Rotary Club of Washington, USA
Rotary Club of Willowdale, Canada
Rotary Club of Hong Kong South, Hong Kong, Hosting Club
International Partner – Rotary Club di Todi, Italy
Rotary District 3450 Hong Kong, Macao, Mongolia
Rotary District 3520 Taiwan
Rotary District 5040 British Columbia, Canada
Rotary Club of Bicester, England
Rotary Club of Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Rotary Club of Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Rotary Club of Shouson Hill, Hong Kong
Rotary Club of Washington, USA
Rotary Club of Willowdale, Canada
Background
It took the project 9 months to survey the landscape of the villages and design the layout for the water tanks and pipes. The final design and plan of the Butuo Water Project was confirmed in November 2015. In December, our staff members and the villagers began the first stage of work, clearing obstacles along the path where the water pipes would be laid. The project was completed in October 2016.
The total estimated cost for the project was RMB624,325. The funding from the Rotary International Global Grant was US$ 99,979. Due to the depreciation of the RMB in 2015, we were able to remit a total of RMB644,497 resulting in a small surplus that will be used for the maintenance of the pipes.
The entire project involved more than 2,000 work trips by the villagers. Critical to the long-term success of the project was the ‘participatory approach’ which required the villagers to be involved in the planning of the project as well as providing the labour. Eleven GRP sectional water storage tanks with concrete platforms and 5 concrete sediment tanks were built; 19,360 meters of PE water pipes in sizes between 20mm and 160mm were laid.
More than 80% of the farm land in the villages are now covered by the new water system, totaling approximately 700mu. Two hundred sixty villagers from the 67 households, the five-guaranteed households, the village school, and the clinic are connected to new water taps. This is the largest water project that The Leprosy Project Limited has ever implemented.
Conditions at the construction site
Access to the village is via steep rocky paths. The delivery of the water pipes, panels for the water tanks and the other heavy equipment to the site was difficult and dangerous. Heavy pipes requiring more than 10 truckloads were off loaded at the top of the cliff above the village. Part of the construction involved laying pipes from the water source down a cliff side with a 100 meter drop, followed by anchoring winding pipes 800 meters down the mountain side. All the pipes and equipment had to be carried by the villagers on their backs.
Beneficiaries
All villagers from the 4 Clusters of Abuluoha Village (Butuo) benefited from the water project which now provides a supply of water for drinking, irrigation and livestock year around.
Technical involvement
GRP Sectional Tanks were chosen for the project because they are durable, flexible and they come in panels that can be assembled on site. With theses tanks we were able to install the size of tank needed in each location. There were, however, many challenges in delivering the panels to the sites. With instruction and guidance from the tank supplier’s technician, the villagers learned to assemble the tanks themselves. This is important for the future maintenance of the tanks.
Water pipe connection and installation:
The supplier of the water pipes also trained and advised the villagers on how to weld the pipes together. The villagers often worked in dangerous terrain, sometimes hanging from the cliff to connect the pipes. All work was approved by a qualified engineer sent by the supplier.
Water pressure and sediment filter system:
Because of the 800 meter vertical drop from the water source to Cluster 2, it was crucial to control the pressure of the water coming from the top of the mountain. The water pipes were connected with pressure valves and several tanks were constructed control the water pressure and prevent the pipes from breaking. These tanks were also used as sedimentation tanks.
Drip irrigation system:
Drip irrigation was a new concept introduced to the villagers by our board member who is an agricultural expert. Although some villagers were initially skeptical of the system, 3 sets of drip irrigation systems were installed in Clusters 1, 3, and at the school’s vegetable field. The results were remarkable and the villagers were able to witness the effect of the system. They are now eager to install more of these systems in the coming months.
Input and beneficiaries of the Butuo Water Project:
Total Investment: RMB624,325
GRP Sectional Water Tanks 11, Total storage of 198 Cubic Meter
160mm PE Pipes 980M
140mm PE Pipes 3280M
110mm PE Pipes 2800M
63mm PE Pipes 2400M
32mm PE Pipes 2400M
20mm PE Pipes 7500M
Labour Input More than 2000 work trips by villagers
Results and beneficiaries:
Building the concrete platforms for eleven GRP sectional water tanks
The eleven concrete platforms were completed in January 2016. Since it was dry season in Abuluoha, the water level of the Xixi River was too low to allow villagers to use boats to carry the construction materials to the village. The villagers delivered all the materials by carrying them across the icy water of the Xixi River.
It took the project 9 months to survey the landscape of the villages and design the layout for the water tanks and pipes. The final design and plan of the Butuo Water Project was confirmed in November 2015. In December, our staff members and the villagers began the first stage of work, clearing obstacles along the path where the water pipes would be laid. The project was completed in October 2016.
The total estimated cost for the project was RMB624,325. The funding from the Rotary International Global Grant was US$ 99,979. Due to the depreciation of the RMB in 2015, we were able to remit a total of RMB644,497 resulting in a small surplus that will be used for the maintenance of the pipes.
The entire project involved more than 2,000 work trips by the villagers. Critical to the long-term success of the project was the ‘participatory approach’ which required the villagers to be involved in the planning of the project as well as providing the labour. Eleven GRP sectional water storage tanks with concrete platforms and 5 concrete sediment tanks were built; 19,360 meters of PE water pipes in sizes between 20mm and 160mm were laid.
More than 80% of the farm land in the villages are now covered by the new water system, totaling approximately 700mu. Two hundred sixty villagers from the 67 households, the five-guaranteed households, the village school, and the clinic are connected to new water taps. This is the largest water project that The Leprosy Project Limited has ever implemented.
Conditions at the construction site
Access to the village is via steep rocky paths. The delivery of the water pipes, panels for the water tanks and the other heavy equipment to the site was difficult and dangerous. Heavy pipes requiring more than 10 truckloads were off loaded at the top of the cliff above the village. Part of the construction involved laying pipes from the water source down a cliff side with a 100 meter drop, followed by anchoring winding pipes 800 meters down the mountain side. All the pipes and equipment had to be carried by the villagers on their backs.
Beneficiaries
All villagers from the 4 Clusters of Abuluoha Village (Butuo) benefited from the water project which now provides a supply of water for drinking, irrigation and livestock year around.
Technical involvement
GRP Sectional Tanks were chosen for the project because they are durable, flexible and they come in panels that can be assembled on site. With theses tanks we were able to install the size of tank needed in each location. There were, however, many challenges in delivering the panels to the sites. With instruction and guidance from the tank supplier’s technician, the villagers learned to assemble the tanks themselves. This is important for the future maintenance of the tanks.
Water pipe connection and installation:
The supplier of the water pipes also trained and advised the villagers on how to weld the pipes together. The villagers often worked in dangerous terrain, sometimes hanging from the cliff to connect the pipes. All work was approved by a qualified engineer sent by the supplier.
Water pressure and sediment filter system:
Because of the 800 meter vertical drop from the water source to Cluster 2, it was crucial to control the pressure of the water coming from the top of the mountain. The water pipes were connected with pressure valves and several tanks were constructed control the water pressure and prevent the pipes from breaking. These tanks were also used as sedimentation tanks.
Drip irrigation system:
Drip irrigation was a new concept introduced to the villagers by our board member who is an agricultural expert. Although some villagers were initially skeptical of the system, 3 sets of drip irrigation systems were installed in Clusters 1, 3, and at the school’s vegetable field. The results were remarkable and the villagers were able to witness the effect of the system. They are now eager to install more of these systems in the coming months.
Input and beneficiaries of the Butuo Water Project:
Total Investment: RMB624,325
GRP Sectional Water Tanks 11, Total storage of 198 Cubic Meter
160mm PE Pipes 980M
140mm PE Pipes 3280M
110mm PE Pipes 2800M
63mm PE Pipes 2400M
32mm PE Pipes 2400M
20mm PE Pipes 7500M
Labour Input More than 2000 work trips by villagers
Results and beneficiaries:
- All 260 villagers from 67 village households, 5-guaranteed households, school and the clinic are covered with the water system.
- 100% of households installed with water taps at home.
- Total 580mu (85%) of dry land can be irrigated.
- 50mu (100%) of paddy fields can be irrigated.
- 100% of family vegetable fields are covered.
- Overall more than 80% of farming land is covered with the new irrigation system.
Building the concrete platforms for eleven GRP sectional water tanks
The eleven concrete platforms were completed in January 2016. Since it was dry season in Abuluoha, the water level of the Xixi River was too low to allow villagers to use boats to carry the construction materials to the village. The villagers delivered all the materials by carrying them across the icy water of the Xixi River.
There was road construction throughout the southern part of Liangshan Prefecture, making it difficult to contract truck drivers to deliver
materials to the village. As a result, there was an increase in the transportation costs.
materials to the village. As a result, there was an increase in the transportation costs.
Since boats could not be used to carry construction materials to the village, staff and villagers had to walk across three sections of the icy river, holding a rope for safety.
The villagers carried all the materials to the construction site manually.
Construction of the concrete platform for the water storage tanks
Connection of the pipes from the water source to Clusters 1 and 2
The connection of the pipes from the water source above the cliffs in Clusters 1 and 2 commenced in February right after the Chinese New Year. Villagers overcame the vertical drop of 800 meters from the top of the cliff to the village. It was dangerous to work. The construction site was too far away from the village so it was impractical for villagers to commute to the site on a daily basis. They used an abandoned house as their base. They laid more than 3000 meters of pipe to connect from the water source to Clusters 1 and 2.
The connection of the pipes from the water source above the cliffs in Clusters 1 and 2 commenced in February right after the Chinese New Year. Villagers overcame the vertical drop of 800 meters from the top of the cliff to the village. It was dangerous to work. The construction site was too far away from the village so it was impractical for villagers to commute to the site on a daily basis. They used an abandoned house as their base. They laid more than 3000 meters of pipe to connect from the water source to Clusters 1 and 2.
This heavy generator had to be carried to the various construction sites for welding.
Villagers delivering pipes and materials to water source for cluster 1 and 2.
Villagers working on channel at the water source to collect water in the sediment tanks before entering the pipes.
Connecting the pipes and fixing the pipes onto the wall of the cliff.
This is where the villagers slept and ate their meals during the construction.
Installation of the main water pipes from the water source & sedimentation tanks to Clusters 3 and 4
A total of 4800 meters of PE140 and PE160 water pipes, together with GRP sectional tanks were manually delivered to the villages in March. The distance was such that villagers could only get from the top of the mountain down to the basin of the valley where Clusters 3 and 4 are located two times a day. Due to the size and length of the pipes, they could not use horses or mules. Villagers carried all the pipes and panels on their backs.
Due to the lack of electricity and the primitive working conditions at the construction sites, it took 37 days to complete the installation of the water tanks, more than double the time estimated.
The connection of irrigation pipes in Clusters 3 and 4 started in April, 2016. The delivery of the big water pipes to the construction sites began at the same time. These pipes were for the delivery of water from the ravine to the water tanks and from there to individual households and irrigated areas. The location of the water source is difficult to access and the big water pipes are very heavy making the installation work extremely difficult. Despite the challenges, the villagers finished the work in early July.
A total of 4800 meters of PE140 and PE160 water pipes, together with GRP sectional tanks were manually delivered to the villages in March. The distance was such that villagers could only get from the top of the mountain down to the basin of the valley where Clusters 3 and 4 are located two times a day. Due to the size and length of the pipes, they could not use horses or mules. Villagers carried all the pipes and panels on their backs.
Due to the lack of electricity and the primitive working conditions at the construction sites, it took 37 days to complete the installation of the water tanks, more than double the time estimated.
The connection of irrigation pipes in Clusters 3 and 4 started in April, 2016. The delivery of the big water pipes to the construction sites began at the same time. These pipes were for the delivery of water from the ravine to the water tanks and from there to individual households and irrigated areas. The location of the water source is difficult to access and the big water pipes are very heavy making the installation work extremely difficult. Despite the challenges, the villagers finished the work in early July.
Villagers had to carry 160mm PE Pipes with the length of 4M manually up to the water source.
One of the water sources for cluster 3 and 4.
Villagers connecting the water pipes.
Villagers had to work under extremely dangerous conditions.
Building of the sedimentation tank
GRP Sectional Water Tanks
When the GRP Sectional Water Tanks were first proposed by our water experts, the villagers had no idea what they were. Traditionally they have used concrete to build the tanks. This has many disadvantages with regard to durability and flexibility.
As the tanks were constructed, villagers could see their advantages. They were enthusiastic about being able to assemble the tanks themselves. Now when people go to the village via the top of the cliff or the river, they can see the water tanks perched on the mountainside.
When the GRP Sectional Water Tanks were first proposed by our water experts, the villagers had no idea what they were. Traditionally they have used concrete to build the tanks. This has many disadvantages with regard to durability and flexibility.
As the tanks were constructed, villagers could see their advantages. They were enthusiastic about being able to assemble the tanks themselves. Now when people go to the village via the top of the cliff or the river, they can see the water tanks perched on the mountainside.
Delivering water tanks to the village and moving them to the construction sites.
Installation of the water tanks
Drinking water pipes and irrigation system
Once all the tanks and pipes connected to the water sources were in place, drinking water pipes and irrigation pipes were then connected to every household, the school and the clinic. Three demo farms with drip irrigation systems have been set up for of home vegetable gardening with very positive results.
Once all the tanks and pipes connected to the water sources were in place, drinking water pipes and irrigation pipes were then connected to every household, the school and the clinic. Three demo farms with drip irrigation systems have been set up for of home vegetable gardening with very positive results.
Connecting irrigation pipes and drip system for the demo farms
Vegetables grown with the new irrigation systems.
Connecting pipes from water tanks to every household.
Every home was installed with tap water for drinking and cleaning.
Future plans
Now that the first phase is complete, the work will continue as follows:
Now that the first phase is complete, the work will continue as follows:
- Promotion of a drip irrigation systems so that all family vegetable gardens can be irrigated this way;
- Transformation of dry land into a paddy field. We expect to create a new 30-40mu paddy field over the next 3 three years;
- Installation of drip irrigation for 9,600 walnut trees planted by the government and 1,080 fruit trees including bananas, pomegranates, pears, peaches and others, provided by The Leprosy Project. These are currently watered by hand. The produce from the trees will improve the nutrition of the villagers as well as provide extra income
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DESCRIPTION
Funds Granted by Rotary International Global Grant
Funds disbursed to the Water Project
In 3 installments. Gain on Exchange
There was a gain on the exchange rate due to the depreciation of the RMB. The surplus will be kept as reserve for the maintenance and management of the water system. Insurance for volunteer labouers Trip Expenses Visits by project staff from Xichang and Hong Kong, Directors of TLP, Rotarians and Consultants, including air tickets, car rental, fuel, tolls, and accomodations. 11 GRP Sectional Water Tanks and Sedimentation tanks PE Water Pipes and Accessories 20 mm to 160 mm PE Pipes, connectors, valves etc. Construction Tools and Equipment Including safety belts, gloves, diesel power generators, welding machines, diesel, concrete mixer, reinforced steel, etc. Delivery Cost Transportation of water pipes, tanks and other parts from factory to Xichang then to village Technician Fees For water tank and water pipe technicians to stay in the village, including meals, transportation and accommodation Total Expenses: |
FUNDS RECEIVED
624,865
644,497
19,632 |
EXPENSES
3,200 25,624 135,141 370,939 29,828 40,060 19,532 624,325 |
