The mountains were covered in a thick cloud layer most of the days Cameron was there
The people were a huge help by helping carry the equipment down into the valley where the spring was located.
Many trips were made down into the valley.
This is where the lower collection tank was placed, it is filled by a line going to the spring
A lot of the local children came down to help and watch as well.
Almost 1,600 ft of PEX tubing was used to reach from the top tank at the village, down to the collection tank at the spring.
We worked alongside the people and instructed them in how to use the various tools, and they instructed us in how to best traverse the terrain
The people built this ingenious bridge to cross a deep ravine. They knew just how high to place it to avoid flood waters.
Another shot of the bridge.
The kids enjoyed helping.
There was a lot of work to do, but it was great being there and getting to know everyone
Some of the people who live in this area
The power and water lines between tanks were all buried to protect them from the harmful effects of the sun and burro hooves
The spring line inlet. It was also buried in clean gravel to serve as a simple screen filter.
Several of the missionaries who work with this people group.
Everyone pitched in. They also identified trees that they expected to fall within the next year or so and preemptively cut them down, so that they would not damage the system.
The entire system runs on solar power.
The people provided chainsaw-cut posts to mount the solar panel on.
We built a chainlink fence around the solar panel to keep animals out.
With so much help, the project went very quickly
One the third day, the sun finally came out of the fog, and we were able to get power to the pump and see the system working!
One the far right is the spring collection tank which also contains the pump, on the right is the solar panel that powers it. The collection tank fills automatically from the spring, (directly behind the photoprapher in this picture) and when there is sunlight, water is pumped from the collection tank, up to the top tank at the village (1,600 ft linear distance, 160 ft vertical lift)
We had a few electrical connections to solder, so we used a DC soldering pencil powered by a truck battery.
The men here use hand woven and beautifully embroidered bags as all-purpose totes for everything from tools, seeds, radios, and lunch. They also wear hand-made woven leather sandals.
Free ride to the top!
Inspecting the collection tank
This is where they wash their clothes at the creek fed by the spring. The overflow hose from the collection tank will also run down to this area to provide them with additional water here as well.
The top tank was located on the top of the ridge between two groups of houses were several families live and work.
They were in charge of locating the tank and building the stand for it.
More trips in and out of the ravine.
The entire length of the tubing was buried.
The spring. The water was very cloudy after the rain that had been recently received.
The top tank, was filled to the top with 150 gallons of spring water in just 2 1/2 hours by the solar powered pump!
The children loved playing around the tank and splashing in the water
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