This summer, the Peru team traveled to Carnachique, a community located in the Northwest region of Peru, to continue our partnership and begin the implementation phase of our agricultural irrigation project. The existing irrigation system in Carnachique struggled to provide sufficient water flow during the summer season, as the water often got absorbed into the canal, preventing the residents from sowing more than once per season. Due to this issue, the irrigation board of the community, known as the Comité de Regantes, voted to undertake a project to address the problem.
Our project aimed to implement PVC pipes and concrete boxes following the original canal system. The goal was to ensure a consistent and reliable source of irrigation for each farming plot in Carnachique, thereby allowing the residents to devote more time to other developmental projects instead of spending hours each day collecting water. We also emphasized the importance of communication and collaboration to ensure that the community could sustain and maintain the new system.
By the end of the project, community members had a clear understanding of the maintenance and functioning of the system and the significance of sustainability for the pipeline.
Implementation
We began the project by spending the first few days walking through the existing irrigation system to identify locations where shortcuts could be created for the new PVC pipeline. We also identified where the depressurizing boxes would be located and engaged with community members to determine the best places for water access points to reach their fields. Once these details were finalized, we ordered the necessary materials for the implementation.
During the following week, we focused on trenching the system to ensure that the pipeline was securely placed underground. We connected the PVC system from the starting point with the help of community members, while the contractor constructed concrete boxes and an overpass for sections of the pipeline that ran over ditches or large holes. This phase of the project required extensive collaboration and coordination with the community to ensure that the system would meet their needs.
In the final days, we collected data and created as-built drawings of the new system. We gathered geographical coordinates for each field and noted the locations where farmers wanted to install their own mini reservoirs. We also had discussions with the farmers about the dimensions they required and their overall expectations from the system. This information will be instrumental in planning for the implementation of the reservoirs in the coming year, ensuring that the project continues to benefit the community of Carnachique in the long term.
Key Takeaways
This trip was an incredible experience, as it allowed us to apply the concepts we had learned in the classroom to real-world projects. We gained invaluable insight into what engineering design and implementation look like in practice. We quickly realized that nothing is typically built exactly as drawn in the technical plans; adjustments had to be made in the field based on factors such as terrain, community input, feasibility, and material availability. This hands-on experience highlighted the importance of flexibility and adaptability in engineering, as we often had to modify our plans to meet the unique needs and conditions of the site.
We also learned to become problem solvers, taking on the challenge of trying something new in an unfamiliar environment. One of the major hurdles we faced was that our designs were based on American standards and parts that are readily available in the United States.
However, once we visited hardware stores in Peru, we found that many of these components were not available. This forced us to improvise and creatively modify some of our designs and connections to ensure they would still serve the same purpose with the desired level of consistency and efficiency. This experience taught us the importance of being resourceful and innovative when faced with unexpected challenges.
Spending meaningful time with the farmers and engaging in one-on-one conversations during the first few days of the project proved to be invaluable. It not only allowed us to build a strong relationship with the community but also gave us the opportunity to learn from each other about best construction and implementation practices.
Their insights and feedback were instrumental in tailoring our project to better meet the community’s needs. This collaborative approach helped ensure the success of the project and reinforced the importance of communication and mutual respect in community development initiatives.
Acknowledgements
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Class of 1978 Foundation for providing us with this incredible opportunity to travel and gain such a transformative experience. Their support enabled us to apply our engineering skills in a real-world setting and contribute meaningfully to the community of Carnachique. We are deeply appreciative of their generous funding, which made the trip and all the project work possible. This experience not only enriched our academic and professional development but also allowed us to make a lasting impact on the lives of the people in Carnachique. Thank you for making this project a reality. (See complete PDF with all photos.)