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Yua, Ghana Water Plaza Project

Background
Dr. Anthony Akunzule, a D.V.M. from Yua and the director of the Ghanaian People’s Network proposed this project to Engineers Without Borders-USA. After applying for the project, Engineers Without Borders Northern Arizona University (EWB-NAU) was granted the responsibility in December 2006 and immediately began implementing a course of action. Four members of the Northern Arizona University chapter of EWB visited Yua, Ghana between the dates of July 27, 2007 and August 11, 2007. This was a mandatory trip intended to assess the site, and was headed by the EWB-NAU advisor, Dr. Paul Trotta.
Existing Conditions
Approximately 3500 people inhabit the community of Yua; however, most of the people there are linked to one or more of the other six communities in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region of Ghana.
Yua experiences a long, yet unpredictable rainy season starting in May or June and lasting until September or October. The average annual rainfall during this period is between 31.5 in. and 43.3 in. The rest of the year, between November and February, is very dry with cold and dusty winds. These semi-arid climate conditions maintain drought nine months out of the year. Since the rain is erratic, the community cannot rely on growing crops. Most sell goats and poultry during the dry season to make up for economic losses. Natural disasters in Ghana, include drought, floods, fires, and damage to crops. These factors contribute to the extreme poverty in the region. Most people, including children, are forced to seek work outside of Yua.
Opportunities to access clean water in the community of Yua are few and far between. It becomes more accessible in the rainy season, where water can be obtained from shallow wells, rivers, streams, and existing boreholes. However, not every source of water is sanitary and therefore is a major source of disease and illness in the community.
Common ailments include diarrhea, trachoma, malaria, goiters, malnutrition, and the Guinea worm disease. An earthen reservoir in the vicinity is used for irrigation and washing, but only provides water for half of the year. Eight existing boreholes with attached hand pumps are the only source of water for the dry season. The current number of boreholes does not serve the community’s needs, which forces those going to collect water to walk up to two hours or more to a nearby borehole. Once there, the lines can be so long, it may take hours to get water. Collecting water can become an all day affair, prohibiting those who retrieve water from engaging in important everyday activities such as farming, education, and attending to the needs of their family and community.

“Women and children are forced to walk great distances in the drought season to access clean water.”

Map of Ghana

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Email: rp44@nau.edu

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About Us

Olivia Kee was responsible for overseeing the research and management of the team. She has performed a significant role on several design projects in Engineering Design 286 and 386 such as providing technical guidance and supervision. Most recently, Olivia has been working in the commercial fishing industry in Alaska. Her experience in one of the world's most dangerous jobs makes her an integral part of P.L.A.Y.'s team.
Alan Heathcoat was responsible for communication between EWB-NAU and P.L.A.Y. He has experience in the engineering field through an internship where he used AutoCAD on a daily basis. Alan also has three years of experience in construction and has presented at engineering conferences in Germany and Poland.
Kelly Simonson was responsible for coordinating and documenting all team meetings. She has relevant experience being a leader and managing group meetings, as well as clerical job experience. Kelly has knowledge in researching and compiling information for several design projects in Engineering Design 286 and 386. Her motivation, enthusiasm, and optimism with her technical understanding will help to promote success of P.L.A.Y.’s project goals.
Randy Perham was responsible for communication with our client and technical advisors. He brings to the team his experience in the both the academic and professional realms. He has worked for Northstar Surveying Inc. in the summers as an instrument man on a survey crew and as a drafter. He also completed an internship for Tetra Tech in the summer of 2006 where he worked as an AutoCAD drafter and a land surveyor.

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Email: rp44@nau.edu

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Problem Statement

The goals of the project are to provide safe, potable water for the community during the drought season, reduce waterborne illnesses, and establish a long-lasting relationship with the community for future implementation projects. For the proposed project, a borehole will be drilled to access groundwater. A photovoltaic pumping system will pump the water to a storage tank on top of a 4 inch concrete slab. The water will then be distributed to three spigots adjacent to a masonry structure by gravitational flow. The design includes a photovoltaic pumping system analysis, a hydraulic analysis of the distribution system, and a structural analysis of the water tank and concrete slab. The project will occur in one or more implementation trips.

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The client for this project is Jared Travis, president of the Northern Arizona University student chapter of Engineers Without Borders. EWB-NAU has also been closely working with two other non-profit organizations, The Ghanaian People’s Network (GAPNET) and Afrikids.
The Ghanaian People’s Network (GAPNET) acts as a mentor for EWB-NAU, and works very closely with them in clarifying and translating the intent of the project with the community of Yua. GAPNET works with non-profit organizations locally and internationally to help develop rural and urban communities in Ghana. Dr. Anthony Akunzule is the director of the organization.
David Aneere acts as the main translator, as well as a guide to the members of EWB-NAU. He has proven to be a useful support person while in the country, since he is educated about the area and familiar with the community of Yua. EWB-NAU will continue to work closely with members of GAPNET, such as David Aneere, in future trips to Yua.
Afrikids works alongside EWB-NAU to help them better understand the quality of life in Yua and to help in the implementation of this project. They are a non-profit child rights organization that works with the indigenous communities in Ghana to identify the root causes of rejected and vulnerable children’s problems. They also work to improve community support services while providing access to basic education and primary health care. While visiting Ghana for the site assessment trip, Afrikids assisted EWB-NAU members in obtaining transportation, food, and technical assistance. They also served as translators and cultural liaisons to the group. Because Afrikids’ headquarters lies just outside of Yua in the nearby town of Bolgatanga, they have without question, become a great asset to the development and implementation of this project.

Dr. Anthony Akunzule

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Email: rp44@nau.edu

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Design Criteria
-Ease of Construction
-Sustainability
-Accessibility
-Cost Effectiveness
-High Factors of Safety

Initial Design
The initial design consisted of two boreholes, one with a hand pumping system, and the other with a Play Pump™ system. The Play Pump was designed to pump water to a storage tank elevated on a steel structure. From there, the water was to be distributed by gravitational flow to a multi-spigot system. The capital cost of the Play Pump system was 9000 USD. Communication with the South African company was unsuccessful throughout the initial phase of the design. EWB-NAU also found the initial cost to put more financial strain on the project.
A large tank size of 5000 gallons was selected for its large capacity to meet more than the demand. However, the weight of the full tank of water and storage tank required more safety measures than the design team could equal. Safety was a primary concern due to the weight atop the steel scaffolding. It also entailed a larger pump size and more pipe distribution components, neither which addressed the cost-effective design criteria. It was found in the best interest of the organization that the design team evaluate another alternative.
Design Strengths:
-Play Pump™ system in unison with a manual pumping system
-Tank elevated on steel scaffolding for increased water pressure
Design Weaknesses:
-Playpump system had high capital cost and required collaboration with
Playpump company in South Africa
-Limited construction abilities could not ensure safety of elevated tank

Intermediate Design
The intermediate design consisted of two boreholes, one with a hand pump and the other with a photovoltaic pumping system. A 3000 gallon tank was selected and was to be placed on top of a 4 foot masonry structure. The masonry structure was to be composed of 8” x 8” x 16” CMU (concrete masonry unit) blocks and the core filled with compacted sandy aggregate. The water was to be distributed by gravitational flow to a three spigot system adjacent to the structure. However, due to the inconsistent quality of CMU blocks in Ghana, the design team chose another design option.
Design Strengths:
-Tank above spigot system for complete drainage if needed
-PV system provides continuous pumping during sunlight hours
Design Weaknesses:
-Quality of blocks poor and not consistent
-Soil assumptions critically impacted stability

Final Design
The final design consists of only one borehole from where a photovoltaic pumping system will pump water to a 2,640 gallon (10,000 liter) tank atop a 4” concrete slab. The slab will be reinforced with welded wire mesh. Water will be distributed to a three spigot system by gravitational flow with a remaining two feet of water in the tank due to the height of the spigots. The area under the distribution system will be sloped away from the masonry wall to allow for proper drainage.
Design Strengths:
-Eliminates most variables and assumptions for safest design
-Allows for easy maintenance and expandability as the community sees fit
Design Weaknesses:
-Tank will not drain completely without use of transfer pump
-System is more susceptible to damage

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Tools and Materials
Description	Cost (USD)	**Cost (GHC)
General Tools	$160	1,552,000
Safety Equip.	$110	1,067,000
Digging Equip.	$180	1,746,000
Plumbing	$1,270	12,319,000
Electrical	$115	1,115,500
Masonry	$240	2,328,000
Concrete	$825	8,002,500
Solar	$2,550	24,735,000
*Totals	$5,450	52,865,000

Estimated Labor Costs
Position		Days	Cost/Day (GHC)	Total (GHC)	Total (USD)
Mason		5	60,000	300,000	$31
Contractor		3	60,000	180,000	$19
Driller (1 Borehole)		1	77,600,000	77,600,000	$8,000
Laborers		5	40,000	200,000	$21
		Total Estimated Labor Cost		78,280,000	$8,070
Estimated Capstone Project Costs
Position	Days		Cost/Day (GHC)	Total (GHC)	Total (USD)
Shipping	10			28,750,800	$2,964
Materials	1			52,865,000	$5,450
Labor Costs	29		2,699,310	78,280,000	$8,070
	Total Estimated Project Cost			159,895,800	$16,484
*Shipping is based on $8.50/kg ($3.90/lb) for 760 lbs
Based on an exchange rate of 9700 GHC to 1 USD.

To contact us:

Email: rp44@nau.edu

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Initial Design
Not to scale

Intermediate Design

Final Design

To contact us:

Email: rp44@nau.edu

Home | About Us | Problem Statement | Client/Stakeholders | Design Options | Costs | Drawings

Home | About Us | Problem Statement | Client/Stakeholders | Design Options | Costs | Drawings

Home | About Us | Problem Statement | Client/Stakeholders | Design Options | Costs | Drawings

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Problem Statement

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Client/Stakeholders

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Design Options

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Costs

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Drawings