Mondialogo Engineering Award Final Project Proposal Cover Sheet

ATTN:
DaimlerChrysler AG
Stefan Bernhart Communications Corporate Sponsorship
HPC 1026
70546 Stuttgart, Germany

December 27, 2004

To The Mondialogo Engineering Award Committee,

Please accept the enclosed application for our project, entitled “Solutions for Muramba, Rwanda:
Rebuilding after ‘Time of the Running’.

Team Leads: Faculty Advisors:

________________________________ ________________________________
Evan Thomas, Student Professor Bernard Amadei
University of Colorado at Boulder, USA University of Colorado at Boulder
ethomas@colorado.edu 428 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA

________________________________ ________________________________
Evan Parks, Tim Miller, Students Professor Peter Bosscher
University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA University of Wisconsin-Madison
ejparks@students.wisc.edu 1415 Engr Dr, Madison, WI 53706, USA

Solutions for Muramba, Rwanda: Rebuilding After ‘Time of the Running’

Participating Institutions:
Engineers Without Borders – USA Kigali Institute of Science and Technology
1880 Industrial Circle, Suite B-3 Rector Albert Butare
Longmont, CO 80026, USA Avenue de l`Armeé
Kigali, Rwanda
University of Colorado at Boulder
Professor Bernard Amadei Muramba Deanery
428 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA Father Musinguzi John Bosco
Muramba, Rwanda
University of Wisconsin at Madison
Professor Peter Bosscher
1415 Engineering Drive
Madison, WI 53706, USA

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Proposal Country of Implementation:

Rwanda, in a community named Muramba on the Democratic Republic of the Congo border.

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 Mondialogo Engineering Award Application
Solutions for Muramba, Rwanda: Rebuilding After ‘Time of the Running’

Management Summary:

Gorillas and guerillas. These are often the only images that come to mind when the tiny land-locked
African country of Rwanda is mentioned to Americans. Many vaguely recall that a terrible war occurred
in recent history between two groups, the Hutus and the Tutsis, but the complicated story behind the
genocide and subsequent efforts to rebuild the country remain mysterious to most Westerners. Students
and professionals with Engineers Without Borders-USA were typically uninformed about Rwanda when
approached with a project to assist a community eager to rebuild its decrepit and unsanitary water system.

The community known as Muramba lies near the border of the Congo in the Rwandan province of
Gisenyi. The community’s tranquility was shattered on April 7th, 1994 when the assassination of the Hutu
President of Rwanda touched off a premeditated and well-planned attack against the Tutsi minority. The
resulting genocide, which killed nearly a million people, was committed by the Rwandan Government
Forces and an associated gang called the Interhamwe. Eventually, the Interhamwe was defeated and fled
into the Congo (Gourevitch, 1998).

However, the Interhamwe continue to terrorize Rwandans along the border, with some of these incursions
spilling into Muramba. In 1997, the Interhamwe entered Hutu-dominated Muramba, expecting support
from the local people. Meanwhile Paul Kagame, who is now the president of Rwanda, had his forces
moved into Muramba with the assumption that the local people were indeed assisting the Interhamwe.
Many refer to 1997 as “The Time of the Running”, when the people ran between two warring groups.
Hundreds were killed.

As a result of these tumultuous times in Muramba, warring forces, looters, and neglect severely damaged
vital infrastructure, including a water system serving thousands of people. With the magnitude of the
destruction that occurred in Rwanda, and to a lesser extent in Muramba, the challenge of rebuilding the
community is immense. Community leaders are working everyday towards improving the quality of life
for everyone. Where one might expect resentment between the Tutsi government and the Hutus of
Muramba, there is instead common determination to rebuild.

Frances Feeney, a registered nurse from Denver, Colorado, volunteered in the community of Muramba,
Rwanda in the spring of 2003. Working with Reverend Musinguzi John Bosco, the Youth Minister for the
Muramba Parish Church, Feeney experienced the conditions under which people live. Frustrated by the
lack of assistance available, she returned to Colorado and introduced the community to EWB-USA.

EWB-USA founder Professor Bernard Amadei adopted the project and recruited experienced EWB-USA
students and professionals to form a team to begin to address the most basic needs in Muramba.
Subsequently, partner teams from the University of Colorado at Boulder and University of Wisconsin at
Madison traveled to Muramba in March and July 2004 to assess the water system and to start
implementing solutions with the assistance of the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, USAID, the
US Embassy, and President Paul Kagame.

The March 2004 assessment trip team determined that the original water system was installed by
missionaries and was subsequently expanded to serve other facilities including four schools. Several
public taps are available to villagers. All of the system’s facilities and taps are located high on a mountain
ridge at 6,000 feet, while the water sources are located on a facing ridge across a deep valley. Some 1,500
people use the system for their daily needs. The distribution network is a spider-web of pipes and tanks

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that converge on two interconnected source pipes that run down to the valley floor and then up the
opposite slope to the water sources, located at an elevation of 7000 feet. The entire system is gravity-fed,
and the sources are surface runoff, collected by natural mountain gullies. The water is collected in five
locations, small streams and subsurface sources by submerged 1.25-inch PVC pipes (EWB, 2004).

During the dry seasons in Rwanda there is simply inadequate water for the community’s needs. During
the assessment, several reasons for these quantity problems were identified. The lack of available water at
the sources and inefficient collection of the water are the primary contributors to the lack of water
quantity in Muramba. The other critical deficiency of the current system was water quality. Most system
users have little means to sanitize their water, and as a result, illness is a constant state for many. The
EWB-USA team tested several taps, as well as each of the sources. Every sample showed the presence of
E.Coli and Coliform bacteria. The reason for this contamination was obvious—a portion of the source
surface water drains through domestic properties and animal pasture.

After visiting Muramba, the Engineers Without Borders-USA team was optimistic that improving this
water system was within their experience and expertise. Capturing more of the available water at the
source points, developing rainwater catchment systems, repairing leaky taps, and sanitizing water will all
improve the water system. Based on this assessment trip and the subsequent summary report, the
University of Wisconsin at Madison visited again in July 2004 to begin implementing sustainable
solutions for the Muramba water system. This team completed ten separate projects enhancing the system,
and continued to identify future projects highlighted in this proposal.

In September, 2004 the Colorado and Wisconsin teams met and received the EWB-USA 2004
Humanitarian Award. Later, the team met with Father John Bosco to plan out the next implementation
phases. Based on these meetings, three additional visits are planned. In January 2005, a Colorado team
will implement solar lighting solutions while gathering data for a subsequent March 2005. During this
trip, a joint Wisconsin-Colorado team will implement a rainwater catchment system. This system will
enhance the quantity of water in the water system, allowing for continual water supply during the dry
season. In July 2005, a Wisconsin team will implement additional source collections, solar cookers, and
faucet valve projects. These will continue to expand the system and start a sanitizing process. Our
Rwandan partners in Muramba and at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) are involved
every step of the way, with logistical planning, engineering design, community development and future
planning.

These projects are a step towards addressing the UN Millennium Development goals, specifically
“Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger” and “Ensure environmental sustainability” by providing safe and
reliable drinking water, and providing solutions that are easily maintainable and expanded with low
environmental impact. By improving the quantity and quality of the water, Muramba can function more
efficiently as students will be less prone to disease and more able to learn at school. Creating a healthy
learning environment for students will enable current and future generations to begin addressing their own
needs, and in doing so, begin to eliminate the poverty plaguing the community. Furthermore, the
implementation of sustainable solutions that are readily operated and maintained by the community will
ensure the longevity of the community’s well-being.

The EWB-USA Rwanda Project team is requesting financial assistance from the Mondialogo Engineering
Award to successfully implement the rainwater catchments, source collection, solar cookers and faucet
valve projects during the spring and summer of 2005.

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Concept and Proof of Intercultural Dialogue:

The Engineers Without Borders-USA project in Muramba, Rwanda has already been successful
in achieving intercultural dialogue. Students and professionals from two American universities
have worked and communicated with international organizations, the Kigali Institute of Science
and Technology, and local leaders in Muramba.

During several visits to Muramba, the teams have accomplished significant engineering
improvements, while developing personal and professional relationships with Rwandans. The
teams have met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Minister of Infrastructure Jean-
Damascene Ntawukuliryayo, who have committed to installing a telephone system in Muramba
and repairing the 22 kilometer dirt road to Muramba. The teams have also met with the
Columbia University Country Director, who is assisting the Rwanda Ministry of
Health/HIV/AIDS in developing a country-wide HIV/AIDS program.

Additionally, partnerships were established with the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology
(KIST) and the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga to involve Kigali students and professors in the
design, construction, and maintenance of the Muramba water system.

EWB’s March 2004 team was the largest outside group to travel to Muramba since the genocide
in 1994. The pastor of Muramba Church called the group’s very presence “a sign of hope for the
people of Muramba.” The president of the Kigali-Virunga Rotary, called the team members
“ambassadors for hope” who can speak out to change the western world’s stereotyped vision of
Rwanda as a primitive, war-torn country. President Kagame called the team members
“Ambassadors of Peace” for Rwanda.

During an implementation trip in July 2004, the team accomplished a number of projects,
ranging from filtering the surface water through gravel, repairing pipe bridge crossings, repairing
Muramba College plumbing, to surveying additional sources.

In every one of the activities in March and July 2004, the community was heavily involved in the
planning and execution with translators used for communication when needed. The physical
work was conducted jointly and served to enhance the cross-cultural experience as ideas and
methods were shared between the students and the community. All benefited from this
exchange.

During the July 2004 trip, Rev. Musinguzi John Bosco was invited to the United States to attend
several conferences of Engineers Without Borders as well as the Sustainable Resources 2004
conference. Due to this invitation, he was able to obtain a visa and visit the United States from
September 5, 2004 through December 5, 2004, and was hosted by EWB members and Roman
Catholic parishes.

Rev. Musinguzi John Bosco’s first visit to the United States provided him with a wealth of
information on ways he can lead his community into sustainability—economically, socially, and
environmentally. His visit also gave many Americans new insights into life in Muramba,
Rwanda, and Africa in general. Many opportunities were provided for cultural exchange. In

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addition to speaking at the conferences, John Bosco spoke with local EWB, church, and
community groups as well as with many individuals. Reporters in Wisconsin and California
asked him for his story.

John Bosco’s visit benefited both his community and the communities he interacted with in the
States. In his talks to the EWB conference and in other settings, he inspired his audience to
contribute to world peace through an exchange between people and cultures. He especially made
strong connections with the university students as they shared meals and ideas. He also learned at
these conferences ways to help advance the technological infrastructure of Rwanda.

Since he had trained as a civil engineer before becoming a priest, he was able to benefit from the
technical aspects of the conference as well, understanding the use of appropriate engineering
methods to improve living conditions within his community. The partnership of Rev. Musinguzi
John Bosco and EWB has been mutually beneficial.

The EWB-USA students and professionals have established solid relationships with the
Muramba community, and the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology. For over 18 months,
we have been in constant contact with our partners in Rwanda. We have traveled to Rwanda
twice, Father John Bosco has traveled to the United States, and contact via email is on a weekly
basis.

The process was born of a mutual desire to make a lasting difference for the people of Rwanda.
The team evolved as we learned more about each other, and we are eager to continue working
together as friends and partners in developing Muramba.

The determination to rebuild Muramba and all of Rwanda is evident both at the grassroots level
and throughout the Rwandan society. President Paul Kagame, when he met with the EWB-USA
team privately for an hour in his Kigali office, offered his full support for EWB efforts in
Muramba. He said, “I wish to thank you for finding the time to come to our country, and your
interest to help in Muramba. As you have found out, we are not short of things to do. Everything
here is about engineering; how to engineer reconstruction. We are always happy when people
find time to come and help with things affecting peoples’ daily lives.”

Similarly, the Muramba community leaders have offered their full support and assistance as
EWB undertakes these projects. In a broad and open meeting between religious and village
leaders and EWB-USA, the EWB team offered a small supply of hybrid crop seeds. The
community leaders embraced the gift, and said that likewise EWB-USA can provide the seeds
for development, but it is up to the community to prepare the ground, nurture the growth, and
ensure the prosperity of the projects (EWB, 2004).

In just a few months an effort was born and is growing into a strong and meaningful reality to
bring people together and to give hope to the community of Muramba.

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Evidence of Plausibility:

The EWB-USA Rwanda project team has identified four projects that will be implemented in the
spring and summer 2005. These projects will be implemented in March and July by students and
professionals from the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Wisconsin at
Madison, in partnership with the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology.

The four projects described are supported by data collected after two visits to Muramba, Rwanda
and are designed to enhance and sanitize the water system to serve the community’s needs. A
third trip in January, 2005 will collect additional data for these projects.

The four projects identified are:

1. Rainwater Catchments (March, 2005)

2. Additional Source Tapping / Collection (July, 2005)
3. Solar Water Cooker (July, 2005)
4. Faucet Value Replacement (July, 2005)

Current Water System Description

The previous visits to Muramba gathered information and data on the water system. In short, the
water system collects water from an opposing hillside, gravity feeds it to tanks, which are then
distributed to a number of schools and community buildings. GPS data was collected, and a
detailed schematic of the water system was developed. The rough map below gives a simplified
visual representation of the existing collection and distribution system, as well as the Muramba
community (EWB, 2004).

Figure 1: Muramba Community Map (EWB, 2004)

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The water quality was also tested. The team determined the pH, nitrate, nitrite, and alkalinity
accumulation in the water, as well as the absence or presence of hydrogen-sulfide producing
bacteria and chloroform bacteria including E. coli. The results show that Muramba is in a safe
range of nitrate, nitrite, and alkalinity counts based on United States Environmental Protection
Agency standards. The pH level is slightly acidic; however, this does not pose an immediate
health problem. Potential problems may arise from corrosion in older pipes.

Additionally, in every sample of water taken, there was a presence of both chloroform and
hydrogen-sulfide producing bacteria. Just as concerning are the results of the E. coli test: eight of
the eleven samples had E. coli present. These results are disturbing because hydrogen-sulfide
producing bacteria, such as salmonella and citrobacter, can cause severe health problems.
Chloroform bacteria, although not dangerous in themselves, are good indicators of the presence
of other pathogens including viruses. This microbial contamination must be dealt with in order to
alleviate the aforementioned health problems (EWB, 2004).

From the collected quality and quantity data, the four projects below will continue to address the
community’s needs.

1. Rainwater Catchments (March, 2005)

Background

Sustainable solutions to the water quality and quantity problems in Muramba must include
measures to diversify the current water portfolio. The area relies almost solely on one network of
streams for water. The collection of rainwater, or rainwater catchment, is one means by which an
additional source of water can be secured at a relatively low cost.

In countries such as Rwanda that receive large amounts of rainfall (>35 in/yr), rainwater
catchment can yield significant amounts of water. In Rwanda rainwater catchment systems are
found both at the household level and on a larger scale. One system built at Green Hills
Academy in Kigali can generate 4.5 million liters of water each year and has enough storage for
220,000 L (KIST, 2003). Therefore, preliminary evaluations were made in Muramba to assess
the feasibility as well as the effectiveness of installing rainwater catchment systems.

Three main areas were investigated in March, 2004 for rainwater catchment in Muramba. These
areas were the Muramba Parish, Muramba College and Goretti Secondary School. These areas
were chosen because they have large roof areas that would provide significant catchment. In
addition, they are frequented by hundreds of students and villagers, allowing for high-visibility
and awareness of rainwater catchment. In addition, installing rainwater catchment systems in
these areas will improve sustainability because their construction and maintenance can be
integrated into the curriculum of the respective school.

The amount of rainwater each roof could capture was estimated by multiplying the roof area by
the average seasonal rainfall amounts (600-mm long rains; March-May, 300-mm short rains;
Sept-Dec). All three locations are viable rainwater catchment sites and together have the
potential to generate over 6.4 million L of water per year or enough water to serve 701 villagers

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per year (assuming the World Health Organization recommended 25 L/person/day). Table 1
below details the buildings and their rainwater catchment potential.

Table 1: Rainwater Catchments

Location Building Roof Area (ft2) Water Catchment (ft3)
Parish Parish Center 3,260 8,410
Parish Parish Community Center 6,250 16,130
Parish Catholic Church 7,500 19,350
College Performance Hall 5,600 14,460
College Offices 2,570 6,640
College Cafeteria 5,060 13,040
College Classrooms 7,570 19,530
College Chapel 2,530 6,530
College Dorm for Teachers 4,750 12,260
College Single Student Dorms (12 total) 3,395 8,760

Rainwater Catchment Construction

In March 2005 the Colorado EWB-USA team will install rainwater catchment systems on two
buildings. The Muramba College cafeteria and one of the dorm roofs (highlighted in bold).
Assuming average rainfall and the World Health Organization suggested water use of 25 liters /
person / day, the addition of the rainwater catchment will be a significant step towards providing
reliable water supply for Muramba.

The collection system will be made from PVC pipe that is readily available in Kigali. First, PVC
pipe will be cut in half length-wise and attached to roof overhangs. PVC pipes will then transport
water collected in the gutters to the storage tanks. This design will allow the water collected to be
used both for drinking as well as bathing, irrigation and other water needs. Preliminary studies of
water quality in rainwater tanks in 50 villages in Tanzania found that the water was nearly
bacteria free with 5 coliform colonies/100 ml filtered or less (Mbwette et al, 2002).

The rainwater catchments will include screen filtration systems in between the gutter inlets and
the tanks. Figure 2 below details a possible design of these filtration systems.

Figure 2: Rainwater Catchment Filter

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The water collected will be sent to tanks separate from the existing water system. Eventually,
the tanks may be attached to the existing system, but only after a sufficient sanitizing process is
in effect. The current potable water in addition to drinking is used for bathing, clothes washing,
and flushing of toilets. The rainwater could be used to replace these non-potable uses, reducing
the load on the potable water supply.

Rainwater catchment has the potential to help solve water quality and quantity problems in
Muramba. With the proper planning in progress, collection of additional data in January 2004,
and the use of local materials and labor, the systems will be installed with only a minor
investment. Community members will easily handle the maintenance and operation of this
system, ensuring the project’s success and sustainability.

Budget

The estimated budget of the rainwater catchment implementation is shown below in Table 2:

Table 2: Rainwater Catchment Estimated Budget

Item Description Total Cost
Labor Foreman (EWB initially, then local) $0.00
Local workers $0.00
Logistics Plane Tickets Round Trip USA - Rwanda, 5 people $6,000.00
Ground Transportation $200.00
Food / Lodging, 12 days $600.00
Supplies Portland cement (bags) $450.00
PVC pipe (by foot) $600.00
Various tools $600.00
Total: $8,450.00

The background data, design plans and cost of this rainwater catchment project make its
completion feasible in March 2005.

3. Additional Source Tapping / Collection (July, 2005)

Background

A UW-Madison July 2005 trip will continue to address water quantity and quality issues. While
the rainwater catchment systems will function optimally during periods of heavy rainfall, the
community will also require additional source water during the dry seasons. Efforts to improve
the amount of water available for drinking, cooking, and washing must include tapping a second
water source, which would ensure that the water demands are alleviated over the dry season.

Local technicians have tapped numerous springs in the vicinity surrounding the Muramba Parish
and school compound, but the supply remains inadequate in meeting the community’s demand.
Tapping into a series of springs at high elevations on another hilltop and piping this
uncontaminated water to the existing pipe and reservoir network will be a sustainable solution.

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 Description

The proposed solution for the transport of clean water to Muramba is to utilize a gravity fed flow
distribution system. The dramatic change in elevation over a relatively short distance lends itself
to the utilization of a gravity fed flow water distribution system. Gravity flow water systems do
not require pumps or any other form of energy input. The system would capture groundwater
from a series of springs located at high elevations and pipe it into existing reservoirs.

The proposed water lines would then be integrated into the existing water infrastructure in
Muramba, significantly increasing the current supply even during dry periods. Three primary
design components comprise the second source project: spring box construction, pipeline
installation, and reservoir construction.

Spring Box Construction

A series of five spring boxes, each placed at different points of seepage, will be used to collect
uncontaminated water before it appears at the surface. Due to the high elevation of the springs,
there is sufficient gravitational energy to bring the water downhill to the village without the use
of pumps. Additionally, the sources will be protected from possible contamination because there
will be fewer animals grazing at elevations higher than the springs. Based on preliminary flow
measurements, the summation of spring flows is sufficient to provide water for thousands of
people. A comprehensive water budget, which would be compiled during subsequent visits, will
enable a better estimate of Muramba’s daily water consumption.

Physically, a spring box consists of a covered concrete enclosure into which spring water flows.
A pipe located near the bottom of the box carries the collected water into the distribution system.
An overflow pipe is located above the distribution pipe, allowing excess water to spill out. A
third pipe will be used to drain the spring box for maintenance (Lifewater, 2003).

Additionally, a metal sheet placed beneath the surface behind the spring box may prevent some
contamination of the spring. The spring box will also act as a sedimentation chamber where sand
particles and organic matter can settle out. Special effort must be taken to ensure that the spring
box is not built on land subject to erosion or flooding. Spring boxes are fairly simple to construct
and can be easily modified to fit many different situations.

Due to their relative simplicity, spring boxes are inexpensive to construct. The materials needed
to construct a spring box include PVC piping, concrete, rebar, metal sheeting, stone, and gravel,
all of which are readily accessible in Muramba. Spring boxes require minimal maintenance, but
disinfection and sediment removal must be performed routinely to maintain the water quality.
Spring box construction and maintenance will require volunteers and workers from the
community as well as vocational school students.

In addition, partnering with Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) students is
essential to constructing and maintaining these projects. Aside from helping locate materials in-
country, KIST students will have the opportunity to assist with on-site design and construction of

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the spring boxes. Ideally, by participating in this project, the KIST students will gain the
necessary knowledge and skills to replicate these designs throughout the country.

Pipeline and Reservoir Construction

Once the spring boxes are constructed at the sources, the water must be piped to the community
through a network of pipes and reservoirs. The proposed pipeline, constructed of either PVC pipe
or polyethylene pipe, will traverse roughly three kilometers of terrain. The proposed route will
lie along an existing road, facilitating easy access for maintenance. Optimal pipe size will be
based on frictional head loss calculations, as well as computer-aided modeling.

Figure 3 below shows the proposed route. Piping would be laid at the 3-6 kilometer points from
the Parish.

Figure 3: West Muramba Water Route

Water System Modeling

A computer flow simulation program, EPANET, was used to model the results of supply
additions to the existing piping network in Muramba, Rwanda. Three month rainy and dry season
conditions were modeled along with a decrease in demand during the dry season to account for
necessary village conservation measures. Multiple assumptions were made during the modeling
including source flow rates, village population, population distribution, reservoir diameters,
personal water demand, and common user demands.

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The total network demand was modeled for 7,000 people equally distributed among four village
taps in addition to the demand of the dispensary and the students at one of the local schools,
ESECOM. Village demand was analyzed at 20 Liters/person/day (L/p/d) during the rainy season
and 10 L/p/d for dry season conditions.

The diameters of the reservoirs were set at 3.12 m, as measured in Muramba. The maximum
reservoir height was placed at 40m, which allowed the model to show potential reservoir filling.

The flow rates of the existing and proposed sources were assumed to vary from the wet to the dry
season. Below Table 4 shows these assumptions, based on data collected in Muramba.

Table 4: Estimated Source Flow Rates (Liters/second)

Source Type Rainy Season Dry Season
Source A 2.5 0.3
Source B 3 0.7
Existing Source 1 0.66

According to the computer model, during the wet season, all taps had an ample supply of water
with the reservoirs rising to 40 m after the second month. Below is a table showing the predicted
reservoir water levels after each month.

Table 5: Wet Season Reservoir Water Levels (meters)

Month Reservoir 1 Esecom School Parish
1 32 18.25 7.21
2 40 40 12.89
3 40 40 18.33

During the dry season, there is insufficient supply of water to accommodate the demand of 20
L/p/d. When village demand is cut to 10 L/p/d, the network supplied all taps and reservoir levels
fell within the actual reservoir sizes. Below is a table showing the water levels each month.

Table 6: Dry Season Reservoir Water Levels (meters) (demand at 10 L/p/d)

Month Reservoir 1 Esecom School Parish
1 1.91 0.87 7.29
2 2.62 1.13 13.04
3 3.25 1.67 18.31

These modeling results show that the inclusion of additional sources will prevent total loss of
water supply, but will not entirely solve the community’s problems. However, when combined
with the other proposed projects, such as rainwater catchments, the community should have a
sustainable water system to meet the World Heath Organization recommended minimum of 25
L/p/d.

Community Partnership

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Partnering with vocational school students and KIST students, as well as experienced community
members is vital for the successful implementation and long term sustainability of the pipeline
and reservoir system. Constructing the pipeline and reservoirs will require significant
contributions from both the Muramba community and KIST students. Conversations with the
community leadership has already confirmed the availability of local labor to meet this need.

Material availability must be determined prior to designing the system because the choice of pipe
will significantly impact the flow mechanics. KIST students will prove to be invaluable in this
regard, as they can assist in determining which materials are available in-country.

Due to the length of the line, significant labor is needed for trenching. Being able to troubleshoot
pipelines and regulate the reservoir levels may prove to be the biggest challenge to the
sustainability of the project, but this can be achieved by educating local students and technicians
about ideal operating and general maintenance procedures.

Budget

The source tapping will occur in July 2005 with five students and professionals from EWB-USA.

Table 7: Additional Source Tapping Estimated Budget

Item Description Total Cost
Labor Foreman (EWB initially, then local) $0.00
Local workers $0.00
Logistics Plane Tickets Round Trip USA - Rwanda, 5 people $6,000.00
Ground Transportation $200.00
Food / Lodging, 12 days $600.00
Supplies Piping (63 mm, 6 m length) $16,500.00
Cement $500.00
Valves, unions, fittings, rebar, etc. $1000.00
Total: $24,800

4. Solar Water Cooker (July, 2005)

Background

Providing safe drinking water for the inhabitants of Muramba is the major goal EWB-USA has
been working toward in Rwanda, which also involves purifying the water from the existing
system. The water available to the inhabitants of Muramba is severely contaminated with several
bacteria types leading to health concerns for the village.

Although there are several options of systems to satisfy the purification needs of Muramba, a
simple solar pasteurizer and cooker is the most practical. With the cooperation of the Kigali
Institute of Science and Technology, it is planned that a solar cooker will be installed in
Muramba in July 2005.

Currently, women and children spend hours each day collecting unclean water for drinking,
cooking, and other daily needs. The water is muddy and contaminated leading to chronic

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discomfort attributed to gastrointestinal infections, diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and headaches.
Thousands of people in the area have no other option but to use this unsafe water.

Burning firewood is a simple heating method used for boiling water and cooking in most
developing areas. However, burning firewood has many drawbacks, making it a problem that
must be addressed in the developing world and Muramba alike. Often times the cooking is done
indoors which leads to harmful smoke inhalation. Large quantities of firewood are needed to boil
a sufficient amount of water for drinking and cooking daily meals, which is leading to
deforestation and subsequent soil erosion. In many areas, including Muramba, the local supplies
of wood have been exhausted so it must be trucked in at a considerable price. In addition, recent
legislation has prevented further deforestation in Rwanda. Clearly there is a need for a safer,
more sustainable method of heating food and water in areas of the world like Muramba.

Solar pasteurization is a very practical way of solving this problem. The idea is to develop a
system which uses the sun’s energy to heat water to a temperature where pathogens can no
longer survive. According to Solar Solutions (Solar Solutions, 2004) safe drinking water is
possible by heating the water up to around 65 degrees Celsius for an hour.

Muramba is at a relatively high elevation of 6,000 feet, and near the equator. Both of these
attributes are ideal for solar pasteurization. According to NASA’s Satellite Data Site (Insert site
reference), Muramba receives nearly 5 kWh/m2 per day of solar radiation. If harnessed properly,
this is more than adequate to reach the required temperatures for water purification. Because of
the amount of sun Muramba receives, it is estimated that solar pasteurizers could be used in
excess of 200 days per year.

Solar Cooker Construction

The design most appropriate for Muramba, is one presented in the on-line Solar Cooking
Archive sponsored by Solar Cookers International (Solar Cookers, 2004), due to its simplicity
and ubiquitous materials of manufacture. A diagram of this design is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4: Solar pasteurizer schematic (Solar Cookers, 2004)

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The basic design consists of a wood or cardboard box lined with aluminum foil. Box cookers of
this design do not need to be turned to follow the sun during the day to sufficiently heat water
and/or cook food, providing for an added advantage over fire, which needs to be continually
tended. A blackened supporting plate is placed in the bottom of the box on top of spacers,
providing a few centimeters of insulation to minimize heat loss from convection. These spacers
can be made of any convenient insulating material, including rocks or scrap cardboard.

The cooking vessel is placed on this plate and clear plastic film or glass is placed over the top of
the box. A reflector, roughly the width and length of the box and also covered on one side with
aluminum foil, is supported upright on the end of the box so as to reflect additional sunlight onto
the pot and plate absorber. The cooking vessel and supporting plate should be black to maximize
adsorption. If only aluminum pots are available, they can be fire-blackened.

In order to ensure that the proper temperatures have been reached, a wax indicator may be used.
Dr. Fred Barrett, formerly of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, developed the first so-called
water pasteurization indicator (WAPI). A small amount of wax with a melting point above the
range which ensures safe drinking water can be placed in the upper end of a glass or plastic tube
which is weighted to the bottom of the vessel by a washer or some other metal object. When the
wax melts, it will flow to the tube bottom providing an easy visual check that the proper
temperature has been reached.

Budget

Solar box cookers have been manufactured in Lesotho for under three dollars and it is believed
that similar costs could be achieved in Rwanda. However, it is assumed that the pilot study will
cost up to twice as much per cooker while the design and training is perfected. A more accurate
estimate is being prepared by the students of the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology. We
realize that this is a significant cost for the village. The initial cost of the system materials,
bought and transported in bulk, can be covered by EWB funding; however, it is critical that the
people in the village pay a portion of the cost. This ensures the villagers feel a sense of value and
ownership for the system, which, will affect the longevity of the system.

The maintenance of the pasteurizer and replacement of parts will require minimal attention if the
system is cared for and used properly. However, when a part of the system or the system itself
needs to be replaced, it will most likely be found in Kigali. It will be a good idea for extra
materials to be purchased in bulk and stored in the village so replacements can be installed
quickly. Bulk purchasing will also keep the costs of materials and transportation low.

The solar water cooker system will be implemented during the July 2005 trip. Therefore, the
budget estimate is only for additional supplies to the second source tapping budget.

Table 8: Solar Water Cooker Estimated Budget

Item Description Total Cost
Supplies Stiff Cardboard (100 cookers) $200.00
Aluminum Foil (100 cookers) $100.00
Lexan (100 cookers) $300.00
Total: $600.00

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 Micro-enterprise

This solar collecting system can result in economic benefits for the village by reducing health
costs from bacterial contamination and fuel costs from cooking. It will also result in the citizens
of Muramba being more healthy and able-bodied to perform their trades and work towards the
development of the village.

EWB-USA believes that an important component of anything that we help implement is

ownership; the people of Muramba must feel as if these solutions are their own. We believe this
would allow them to feel a sense of pride about these things, which would lead to better care and
a feeling of accomplishment in the community rather than a feeling of dependency on outside
aid. Therefore, the best design would likely be one that an individual or a family would make,
own and operate on their own.

In the time we have in Muramba, we plan to organize workshops of sorts in which people can
come and learn the significant difference between clean and unclean water, the importance and
basics behind the design which we are proposing, and how to manufacture a unit of their own. It
would be invaluable to have KIST students at these meetings to provide a cultural, linguistic and
technological bridge between EWB and the people of Muramba. Both EWB and the KIST
students would be available for aid in the assembly of the solar box cookers and for any early
troubleshooting that may arise. There is a vocational school in Muramba that has offered their
support to EWB. They could provide invaluable support to this project. Safe drinking water
could be incorporated into their curriculum and they could help with the implementation and act
as “in-house” experts on the benefits and correct use of the solar pasteurizers.

The implementation of simple solar pasteurizers is a practical part of the solution to Muramba’s
water problem. It will provide an environmentally friendly and sustainable decontamination
process that will allow for improved conditions for the community as less time and effort will be
needed to deal with the complications of unhealthy water.

5. Faucet Value Replacement (July, 2005)

Background

The primary objective of the water valve project is to develop an inexpensive and sustainable
water valve with the intention of empowering developing communities to be economically
sustainable by locally producing, maintaining, and distributing their own water valves. The
Engineers Without Borders chapter at the University of Wisconsin at Madison is working to
finalize the design of a water valve as an affordable solution to current valves in Muramba,
Rwanda and other developing regions. Currently, water conservation efforts in Muramba are
inhibited by the severe rate at which faucets leak.

Faucets are often left open for long periods of time due to leakage and inconsistencies in flow,
which leads to large amounts of water being needlessly wasted. This initiative will focus on
potable water conservation by reducing the rate of leakage in faucets to help reduce water loss.

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By partnering with KIST students and vocational students alike, we hope to begin alleviating the
health issues and discomfort resulting from the lack of potable water.

The EWB-UW chapter will begin distributing the valves in Muramba while educating and
training students from the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and the local
vocational school beginning in July 2005. KIST students will have the theoretical background to
understand the valve design, which will aid in bringing the valve prototypes to production in
their plastics manufacturing plant in Kigali.

The novel water valve designs will be easy to fabricate with simple tools readily available in
Kigali (or other towns) and will be many times less expensive than current valves on the market.
The team has begun to fabricate several designs to test the longevity of the valve seal in our
water testing facilities at UW- Madison.

Valve Construction

The valve design has been narrowed down to three novel designs, each of which have several
sub-designs. They will be tested for the effectiveness of the water seal, ability to self-close, and
the number of uses before the seal fails. The valves will be compared by their cost, durability for
high usage, ability to be repaired by anyone, ability to be produced in many remote areas around
the world, and economic advantage over existing water valves. The valve designs incorporate
similar concepts of current designs, but will be much easier to manufacture and will be made of
plastic to reduce the cost. Cost estimates are given for plastic purchased in pellet form and
processed locally in an extruder to produce plastic pipe. It will cost a bit more to buy the plastic
pre-extruded before machining into a valve. The sealing surfaces and design are not shown in the
pictures below to maintain patent confidentiality.

Figure 5: Potential Valve Designs

KIST Involvement

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The Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) will have the theoretical background to
understand the valve design when the team arrives in Kigali in July 2005. The valve group is
dedicated in teaching KIST students how to manufacture these valves in large volumes and how
to produce them locally on a small scale. After the team leaves Rwanda, they will teach the
community how to develop these designs through a sustainable educational process. In addition
to distributing the design, the team will distribute a business plan and work with their plastic
manufacturing plant to produce inexpensive valves in Kigali. Current valves are expensive and
produced outside of Rwanda, so their economy would benefit from increasing the production of
goods domestically. Moreover, working with KIST will help strengthen international ties and
communication while broadening the opportunities for a sustainable world market.
Social Impact

Developing an inexpensive valve and business plan for Muramba and other developing areas will
strengthen local economies and improve the quality of life for millions living in poverty. The
production of valves will improve the gross domestic product by developing new businesses,
allowing communities to buy affordable valves that are durable and easily fixed with local
materials. Since water is continually becoming one of the most precious natural resources,
projects dedicated toward water conservation are integral to a sustainable development.

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of producing these valves will have a minimal affect on the
communities in which they are implemented. The current designs incorporate high density
polyethylene (HDPE) which has minimal environmental hazards (unlike PVC), and can be easily
recycled many times without mechanical degradation using a plastic shredder. The HDPE plastic
plant in Kigali will be able to recycle all unused HDPE scrap back into the extruder and recycle
old valves or other plastic components made from HDPE. This will allow for a cost savings to
the company while helping to preserve the integrity of the local environment. The team is
pursuing the use of bio-plastics that are produced from renewable sources such as milk or soy
bean proteins. The valves may be produced using a cross-linked polylactic acid (PLA) or other
bio-plastic in the near future. Until then, HDPE is an excellent choice to maintain a safe and
clean environment in Rwanda and other developing countries.

Budget

The faucet valve replacement will be implemented during the July 2005 trip. Therefore, the
budget estimate is only for additional supplies to the second source tapping budget.

Table 9: Faucet Valve Replacement Estimated Budget

Item Description Total Cost
Supplies Valves (50) $200.00
Replacement Parts $50.00
Total: $250.00

Total Budget for March, July 2005 Implementation Trips

The total estimated budget for these four projects is shown below:

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 Table 10: Total Estimated Budget
Item Description Total Cost
March 2005 Logistics $6,800.00
Rainwater Catchment $1,650.00
July 2005 Logistics $6,800.00
Supplies Source Tapping $18,000.00
Solar Cooker $600.00
Faucet Valve $250.00
Total: $34,100.00[R1_85]

This estimated budget will be met through fundraising efforts in addition to this Mondialogo
Engineering Award application. The Colleges of Engineering at the University of Colorado at
Boulder and the University of Wisconsin at Madison have both supported these efforts through
grants, and several Rotary Clubs, engineering firms, and individuals have donated to the project.
We are optimistic that the fundraising goals will be met; however substantial fundraising is still
necessary. The Mondialogo Engineering Award would have a significant impact on the success
of these projects.

Conclusion:

The Engineers Without Borders-USA teams at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the
University of Wisconsin at Madison have demonstrated through two successful visits to
Muramba, Rwanda that they are capable of implementing sustainable solutions to the
community’s needs.

The teams have established meaningful relationships with local community leaders, especially
Father Musinguzi John Bosco who has traveled to the United States to meet with the group. The
team has an ongoing partnership with the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology that has
resulted in engineering designs appropriate for Rwanda, and have involved Rwandan and
American engineering students in helping the Muramba community.

The four projects identified in this application are slated to be implemented in January, March
and July 2005. Born of these relationships, the projects are feasible and practical. They will help
alleviate the water quality and quantity issues that the community originally approached EWB-
USA about.

Also, these projects are clearly in line with UN Millennium Development goals, specifically
“Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger” and “Ensure environmental sustainability”. Most
directly, this project moves toward “reducing by half the proportion of people without
sustainable access to safe drinking water”. These projects are sustainable with the assistance of
the local community, have low environmental impact, and will provide safe drinking water to the
students and villagers of Muramba.

Additionally, partnerships with the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology and the Muramba
Vocational School help promote training and education, as well as develop micro-enterprises
with the solar cooker and faucet valve projects.

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The estimated budget for these four projects combined will be met by grants from national and
international organizations such as the Mondialogo Engineering Award. This award would be a
significant step towards assuring that the potential of these projects is realized. We are asking the
support of the Mondialogo Engineering Award to continue our work in Muramba, Rwanda.

We have already achieved several goals in Muramba. We have started to improve the water
system, and there is already a noticeable difference to the community’s access to reliable water.
We have established partnerships and friendships in a remote community in a country around the
world.

We have faced many challenges along the way. From trying to communicate across language
barriers to people we’d never met in a country many people didn’t know about, to developing
engineering plans in this remote locale, to even working across our own country with partner
institutions in the United States. Because the bulk of the work is completed by university
students, we have been constrained by travel coinciding with school holidays, and the limited
budgets afforded by the various grant organizations. However, we are all determined to partner
with Muramba in developing their community’s resources. We will continue to push through the
obstacles to achieve what we know is possible.

Muramba is driven to rebuild and succeed. As the team was informed repeatedly by the Rwandan
students, village and church leaders, ministers and President, as Engineers Without Borders we
are now ambassadors for Rwanda. It is our responsibility to be ambassadors of peace, and show
our country that Rwanda is today a land of rebuilding and reconciliation.

Acknowledgments:

This application is a collaborative effort between the University of Colorado at Boulder and the
University of Wisconsin at Madison.

University of Colorado at Boulder: Bernard Amadei, Max Gold, Keir Hart, Maggie
Montgomery, Laura Richards, Evan Thomas.

University of Wisconsin at Madison: Megan Bender, Peter Bosscher, Bill Brower, Andy
Derocher, Paul Fraser, Sam Jorgensen, Adrienne Kuehl, Tim Miller, Evan Parks.

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References:

African Medical Research and Education Foundation (AMREF). Mkuranga Sanitation and
Health Project Quarterly Report. October, 2002.

Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA) Assessing Engineering Solutions for Muramba,

Rwanda. April, 2004.

Gourevitch, Philip. We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our
Families. Picador Press, 1998.

Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). Collection and Storage of Rainwater Green
Hills Academy, Kigali. 2003.

Lifewater International. Water For People (website)

http://www.lifewater.org/wfw/wfwindex.htm, 2003.

Mbwette, T., Montgomery, M., Leshale, B. Maintenance, Operation, and Health Effects of
Mkuranga Well Project. Tanzanian Journal of Engineering. Fall 2003.

Solar Cookers International The Solar Cooking Archive (website) www.solarcooking.org, 2004.

Solar Solutions (website) www.solarsolutions.info, 2004.

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