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La Huerta |
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| Water
System |
La
Huerta is a Kumiai Indian community with 60 families (service
connections) and a population of approximately 193.
The community is located in the foothills along the eastern edge
of the Ojos Negros Valley, at the base of the Sierra Juarez east of
Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico. The community obtains its drinking water
from four springs that are collected into one main collection tank.
There are no storage reservoirs in this community.
All water is delivered to a PVC piped community distribution
system via gravity from the main collection tank. Each spring has a
constructed concrete protected spring box.
The area around the springs is fenced to prevent livestock and
human contact of the spring water and minimize contamination.
The water produced by the springs is not treated or filtered.
In early 2005, electricity was brought in to
the community. The
community is experiencing some development and anticipates needing
additional water supply and storage for other parts of the community.
Water quality data obtained since January 1996 has
consistently shown the presence of total and fecal coliform bacteria (Wilken
Robertson, 1996). The
following table is a brief summary of water quality monitoring of the
distribution system; additional samples taken in the past years have
shown similar water quality results.
na-not
analyzed * NOTE: Microbiological data generated by the JA JAN Coalition with the assistance of CUNA, Aqualink, and trained community members
The
water system spring sources are contaminated with total coliform and low
amounts of E. coli bacteria. Water sampling of the water system has
consistently shown bacteriological contamination.
Analytical testing and a sanitary survey have determined that the
continuing cause of the contamination appears to stem from the water
sources. Drinking water
with coliform and E. coli bacteria is a health risk and could cause
serious illness. Water System Improvement Recommendations The proposed solution to improve the water system supply is to add chlorination treatment. Disinfection of the source water will assist in inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms. The community also needs additional PVC distribution system piping and a storage reservoir. This community currently has electricity.
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