Llicllica Water Tank Project – Peru
This project is made possible through the partnership of WATER CHARITY and the NATIONAL PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION. 
This project has been completed. To read about the conclusion, CLICK HERE.
Location
Llicllica, Azangaro, Puno Region, Peru 
Community Description
Llicllica is a dispersed community spread out on the plains of the district of Choquehuanca at an elevation of 3,900 m (12,795 ft) above sea level. This community of 36 families (162 people) relies almost entirely on the animal husbandry of various animals including vicuñas, llamas, cattle, and a small number of alpacas as their source of income. This community is unique in that all land is communal, meaning nobody owns particular pieces of land. Instead, all of the lands is shared between the community, so when they grow crops everyone helps and splits the products equally. They mainly grow potatoes in the rainy season for community consumption.
Problem Addressed
There is currently a water system in the community. However, in recent years the water supply of the natural spring providing water to the storage tank has severely decreased and water no longer flows to the storage tank or the community. Community members must rely on contaminated open springs and rivers as their source of water.
Drinking contaminated water from open sources causes stomach problems, especially in children under the age of 5. Diarrheal sicknesses caused by unsafe drinking water often contribute to the issues of malnutrition and anemia in young children, who are already prone to these health complications due to the fact that they live at a high altitude and can’t always consume a diverse and nutritious diet.
Project Description
This project is to guarantee a supply of safe drinking water to the entire community by constructing a cement storage tank connected to a new water source.
The district capital Choquehuanca is close to the community of Llicllica and the water distribution piping for the capital passes nearby to the community. Choquehuanca has an ample supply of water 24 hours a day and with permission of the local municipality, Llicllica is going to connect to Choquehuanca’s water supply.
The water will flow downhill to a newly constructed 6 m3 cement storage tank that will be built on a reinforced concrete platform. The new storage tank will be built in a more strategic location, higher up and closer to the new water source than the current storage tank. The new storage tank will then be connected to the existing water distribution system of Llicllica, providing the community with a reliable source of running water.
Water Charity funds will be used to buy the necessary materials and skilled labor to build the storage tank. Community members will provide the labor for the considerable excavation that is needed and materials required to connect the new storage tank to the existing water distribution system and to connect the new water supply to the new storage tank. The construction of the storage tank will take approximately 20 days.
Project Impact
162 people in 36 households will benefit from this project. 
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
The project will be administered by Ralph Bolton, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Peru,’62-’65), and founder and director of The Chijnaya Foundation. Work will be done under the direction of Chijnaya’s operational arm, Asociación Pro-DIA, a legally-constituted Peruvian counterpart. On-the-ground work is being managed by Kimmy Mazza, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Peru,’16-’18).
This project is a part of the Altiplano Water Program – Peru.
Monitoring and Maintenance
A water committee will be formed in the community and the committee along with the community members will be trained on proper administration, operation, and maintenance of the water system. They will collect funds sufficient to maintain the system, conduct repairs, and perform replacements when necessary.
Project Funding
This project was made possible through the generosity of the Paul Bechtner Foundation.
If you like this project, please make a general donation to Water Charity to allow us to continue to do great projects such as this in Peru.