Providing Drinking Water in Chinda Depends on Luis Linares and Others Like Him
Contamination enters the pipes (bottom of photo) of the El Tule water system.
A dependable supply of good water to the Chinda communities is not the responsibility of any government agency. Community members build dams in the watershed near the top of the El Zapotal mountain and pipes to bring that water to each community. Once in the community community members maintain a tank to store the water and pipes to distribute the water to each home. Too much pressure in the pipes must and they will break. Small openings let contaminants enter the tank and pipes and the water becomes contaminated. Providing dependable, healthy water is a challenge.
In each community a local water management board is responsible for the water supply. The board cannot do all this alone, it must get cooperation, volunteer labor, and collect a fee for the upkeep of the water system.
Jonny Milla, water technician for the El Tule water management system prepares chlorination to kill the bacteria in the system.
Enter Luis Linares, a farmer in the community of La Majada. He has participated in the Sustainable Villages Honduras (SVH) program for many years. As president of the La Majada Water Management Board, Luis is responsible for working with all the community members to keep the system running. That takes technical skills but just as importantly, leadership skills. This year Luis proposed an increase in the monthly fee of Lps5.00 (the equivalent of less than $.01). He also recommended an inspection of the water system in each home and that families be required to repair any leaks inside their homes. Raising the cost of water, at any amount, requires confidence in the water management board. Fortunately, Luis has built up the respect of people in the community. One of his supporters is Rene Hernandez, who served for many years head of La Majada Water Management Board and has worked with Roy since 2006.
Recent water analyses show that the water is contaminated with pathological bacteria. A doctor from the local health center has said the water needs more chlorination. Roy has offered to help the water management board prepare the application and financial report needed to apply for available funding.
Luis Linares also represents La Majada in the Chinda Association of Water Mangement Boards, all of whose members have benefitted from the work and resources of the SVH program. Together they are developing a stronger connection with the active mayor of Chinda, Mirian Lopez. Creating a forest preserve that provides legal protection of the land in the El Zapotal watershed has become the goal of Mirian and the communities. When Mirian wants to make a single phone call to get an update about water issues in Chinda, she calls Roy Lara.