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Engineers Without Borders at Portland State University

Engineers Without Borders project in Nicaragua to design an efficient irrigation system for an elder care facility's orchard, combating water shortage and improving crop production while conserving resources.

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Engineers Without Borders at Portland State University

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  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. AssessmentProject Implementation 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. ImplementationProject Implementation 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky

  22. Final System Layout 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky

  23. 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

  24. Successful Implementation 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky

  25. Questions? 4/26/2006 – Nicaragua, Matagalpa: Elder Hogar Improvement Project Team: Nick Carey, Gita Dombrowski, Jeremiah Hess, Chris Lastomirsky

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