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Assessment trip
 An onsite assessment of the community was conducted between April 13th and 20th 2006. The travel team:
- Yurintzy Estrada (CivE, Project Manager)
- Rebecca Pizzaro (CivE)
- Miguel Matos (CivE)
- Prof Beth Wittig, P.E. (CivE, Faculty Advisor)
- Mr. Cliff Gold, P.E. (CivE, Professional Advisor)
During the assessment, the EWB team interviewed each of the heads of household in Spanish to learn about the health of the community and their current uses and needs of water.
 The EWB team performed topographical surveys of all potential paths between the spring source and a central location in the community. Several community members assisted the CCNY team by cutting down the dense vegetation to allow for sighting between turning points, and by holding the Philadelphia rods used to assess change in elevation. The topographical survey indicated that a completely gravity fed water system is possible, and that a rigorous erosion management plan will be necessary along the steep portions of path. The team also collected soil samples along the proposed distribution path, and found that some of the pipe will not be able to be trenched for protection.
 They also assessed the quality of water produced by the spring source to determine the extent of contamination and to learn whether the water would need to be filtered as well as disinfected. They used a portable kit to learn about hardness and alkalinity, and collected samples for later laboratory analysis of turbidity, microorganism and chemical contamination. As a service to the community, the team also assayed the quality of the muriad water sources used throughout the community. The water quality results indicated that it may not be necessary to disinfect the water. As a result, our team will perform a more rigorous assessment of the water quality over a longer period of time using sophisticated sensors borrowed from the New York City professional EWB chapter.
 Finally, the team worked alongside community members to construct simple dams and used indigenous vegetation to measure the productivity of the spring source. They found that the spring source produces enough water to satisfy even the predicted demand 20 years into the future.
Project design
The assessment trip was a success, but it is only the first stage of the project. Currently, the student chapter is in the design phase, developing a water system that will protect the spring water supply, conduit the water from the spring over a mile of hilly dense tropical rainforest, disinfect the water in a centralized tank located close to the community, and then distribute the treated water to several locations throughout the community. As a result of public health issues that were observed during the assessment trip, the chapter will also educate the community on practices to manage solid waste and improve ventilation. The group meets at least once weekly to go over technical or practical design issues.
Implementation trip #1
Weather permitting, we will travel to Nueva Suiza between January 4th and 25th 2007 to construct and implement the water system in collaboration with community.The proposed travel team :
- Yurintzy Estrada (CivE, Project Manager)
- Rebecca Pizzaro (CivE)
- Miguel Matos (CivE)
- Martin Nolan (MechE)
- Gary Chan (CivE)
- Gabriel Rand (CivE)
- Cory Ip (EESE)
- Prof Beth Wittig, P.E. (CivE, Faculty Advisor)
- Prof Tom Price, P.E. (CivE, Faculty Advisor)
Budget
The approximate project cost of $33,000 addresses money needed to travel to and stay in Honduras, equipment used during the assessment, and the materials and tools needed during the implementation. The sponsors for the chapter start-up and this first project include the following:
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This project will have a direct impact on the health and economy of this community. Nueva Suiza has a history of water-borne infectious stomach and skin diseases. Their existing water distribution system is unable to meet the needs of more than a quarter of the community. Since the springs do not provide enough water to meet the needs of the entire community, many community-members draw water from nearby streams that are contaminated by runoff. The time saved by women and children bringing water to the home will make available this time for other productive and educational activities. Further, since the community depends on agriculture for subsistence and economy, the availability of more water has the potential to affect the economy of the community.