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Engineers Without Borders at Portland State University. Matagalpa, Nicaragua: Elder Care Facility Improvement Project. Background. PSU Institute on Aging Jessie F. Richardson Foundation Engineers Without Borders Portland Professional Partners 35 elderly residents 300-tree orchard
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Engineers Without Borders at Portland State University 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Matagalpa, Nicaragua: Elder Care Facility Improvement Project 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Background • PSU Institute on Aging • Jessie F. Richardson Foundation • Engineers Without Borders Portland Professional Partners • 35 elderly residents • 300-tree orchard • Oranges, Lemons, Mangos • Cash crop used to purchase supplies 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Antiquated Irrigation System • Existing irrigation technique • Flood and furrow • Water shortage in Hogar • Trees were dying 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Objectives • Conserve water • Improve crop production • Design and construct an irrigation system • Help sustain economy for Hogar • Improve health conditions 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Project Benchmarks • Verification that the water needs are met • Verification of reduced water use • Future assessment team to verify effectiveness 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Project Constraints • Water quality • Evapotranspiration/Soil Quality/Permeability/Infiltration • Water table and recharge rate • Availability of materials • Theft 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Orchard LayoutInitial Information • 16 rows, 16 trees per row • 15 ft tree spacing • 20 ft row spacing • Approx. 2 acres • Relatively level ground 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Water System Layout • Pump • Supplies 75 gpm to orchard • 15 psi at outlet • Approx. 500 ft from 3” tee • Pump draws 150 gpm from well • Tank • 8000 gallons • Approx. 300 ft from 3” tee • Approx. 800 ft from Well • 20 ft elevation 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Water Storage & Conservation Solutions • Use Runoff Culvert for a Retaining Pond • Roof Rainwater Catchment System • Use Conservation Education • Limit daytime laundering • Morning/evening irrigation • Proper watering cycle 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Possible Solutions • Drip Irrigation System • Improved Row and Furrow • Dyke and Basin 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Drip System Design Objectives • Minimal Maintenance • Easy Adjustment & Repair • Flexible Irrigation Cycle • Cheapest Drip System 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Drip System Design • Non Standard Emitters • Flexible Piping 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Drip System Alternatives • Multi-outlet Emitters • Hard Pipe 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Maintenance and Operation • Irrigation System Training • Maintenance • Schedule • Non-Timed Valve Operated 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Project Implementation • Materials Procurement • Site Assessment • Final System Layout • Implementation • Results 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Materials ProcurementProject Implementation • Valves, T’s, connections, ¼” drip tube bought in Portland • 300 ft - 2” Hardpipe and 2000 ft - ¾” Flexpipe from Managua • 140 ft - 3” Hardpipe in Sébaco 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
AssessmentProject Implementation 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
AssessmentProject Implementation • Surveyed orchard • Measured row/tree spacing, distances from pump/ elevated tank to orchard • Infiltrometer Test • Surprises • Not using row and furrow • Strange orchard geometry • Many dead trees 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
ImplementationProject Implementation • Dug trench for 3” and 2” hardpipe • Laid pipe • Fitted valves • Connected ¾” flextube • Connected ¼” microtubing 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
ImplementationProject Implementation 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Final System Layout 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
ResultsProject Implementation • Infiltration Test (Single Ring Infiltrometer) 0.966 gal/(ft2 min) • ¼” Drip Tube Flowrate 0.396 gpm (24 gph) – last tree on first branch 0.159 gpm (9.5 gph) – last tree on last branch • Advised watering cycle • Awaiting confirmation on reduced water use 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Successful Implementation 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky
Questions? 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky