Phase I Inauguration and Celebration!

Phase I of the water project is now nearly complete thanks to the hard work of Ccotataki community leaders and members, as well as the donations of time, labor and financial resource by friends both near and far. On March 15th, the Ccotataki community inaugurated the two working reservoirs and the water delivery system with a ceremony and festive celebration in honor of Wachuy Unu “where water is born.”

“With appreciation for Arawaka and all the kind-hearted people who donated to make this work a reality, working together with the community members and children of Pisac and Cusco to create a path to social, economic and cultural development.”

The Ccotataki community now has access to water year-round through two reservoirs that bring water a distance of approximately one mile to nourish the community’s crops and livestock. Access to water will provide more stable food production and the possibility of prosperity for years to come.

The community is working to create a small pond that will provide for more storage, and an irrigation distribution system closer to the crop fields in need of water.

Phase I will be completed once the pond is built. At that point, volunteers and community leaders will assess the functionality of the phase I system and prepare to initiate phase II of the project.

Ccotataki Community members and friends celebrated the inauguration of the water project with ceremony, music, food, and traditional dance. The Ccotataki community extends deep gratitude to all those who have helped to create a more abundant future for their indigenous Andean community.

Phase I progress update

Phase I of the Ccotataki Water project has reached the final stage of completion. The two reservoirs are now collecting water, and the channels that will carry water from the reservoirs to the irrigation fields are in place. Other successes include the refurbishing of a greenhouse for the Ccotataki school.

The reservoirs are collecting water and the water is beginning to become clear. The reservoirs will provide water to irrigate crops and support the community’s livestock during the dry season.

One of two reservoirs that will irrigate the fields to provide food and feed the livestock during the dry season

The reservoir water is becoming clear

Ccotataki community members share a meal during a break from the day’s work

Workers create adobes that will be used to refurbish a greenhouse at the school. Heavy rains destroyed the first round of adobes, but dedicated and resilient community members rebuilt the adobes that will be used for the school and a new community greenhouse

Phase I is close to being completed, including the addition of a third reservoir to further expand water access and harvesting capacity. Thanks to the hard work and leadership of the Ccotataki community, and generous support from donors and dedicated volunteers, the project is well on its way to completion. Continue to visit our blog and our Facebook page to stay in touch with the latest updates on the water project!

With gratitude,

Friends of Ccotataki

Phase I is underway!

Phase 1 of the Waters of Ccotataki Project is Underway

Thanks to the commitment and hard work of the Ccotataki community, generous contributions from donors around the world, and the gift of time and talent offered by volunteer engineers and friends, phase 1 of the water project is well underway!

Two reservoirs have been excavated and will move water over a one mile distance, through channels, to irrigate the Ccotataki community’s crop fields

The first phase in the multi-phase project was set to launch in April but encountered a delay in receiving approval as an association from the local authorities. The project gained energy and focus when planning support was offered from WEFTA (Water Engineers for the Americas), a nonprofit out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a bank was identified. Jamie Rosa Mamani, a lead WEFTA engineer from Bolivia, along with Maclaine Sorden, a sustainable agriculturalist from Colorado, then completed the necessary readings and measurements with continual input from Ccotataki community members. Maclaine and Steve Reichert, a volunteer water and soil conservationist from New Mexico, delineated the two reservoirs’ basic design.

The elders of the community prepare a coca offering to express gratitude to Pachamama and ask permission to start the project

The heavy excavation equipment made it successfully up the winding road that leads to the Ccotataki community.

In July 2019 the excavation and building of two reservoirs commenced with help from Junior Bergren, another friend from the U.S., who contributed his expertise in pond building. Junior collaborated with a local excavation company and community members to design and construct the reservoirs. Junior reported that it was an experience of a lifetime to work with the beautiful people and land of Ccotatatki on this important project.

Men from the Ccotataki community enjoy a break after a day of hard work.

“It is an honor to conduct this project for the future of this beautiful community, and an honor to represent the youth of the community in the fulfillment of their dreams.”

— Tiburcio Flores, community leader of the water project, pictured above/front carrying a waterline pipe that will bring water to the irrigation fields

Women of the community share a snack with Conni, one of the project volunteers

Volunteers and men from the Ccotataki community work together on the water project

“Working with such committed community members was a true joy. To see their dedication and enthusiasm for the work was inspiring. Sharing coca leaves with them in a traditional daily manner was very meaningful and beneficial for my well being. It is a beautiful work that they are finishing up with their artistic skills and one that will awe many visitors and village grandchildren for years to come.” — Steve Reichert (2nd from right)

Ccotataki is located at an elevation of 13,600 feet and the road to access the community has more than 40 switchbacks - creating a challenge for transporting the large equipment needed to dig the two large holes and two dams required to hold the reservoirs’ water. Other challenges included the moist soil and finding an excavator willing to travel the long distance to provide service to the community. Fortunately, the transport of heavy machinery was carried out without any major problems and an excavator was found. Community members contributed their labor to the effort by hauling the fuel needed to run the machinery directly on their backs over the 1/3 mile distance to the excavation site.

The two reservoirs, a concrete collection box, and the beginnings of the water channels are now constructed. Additional work that has been completed includes the clean up and seeding of the site to prevent erosion, the relocation of hundreds of square feet of sod cut from the ground of the two reservoirs, lining of the spillway with rock, and the construction of two rock walls above both reservoirs to reduce and prevent sediment from entering the water.

Community members and project volunteers

Future plans

Phase 1 is well underway. In October, once the rains begin and the ground is softer for hand digging, the main line will be hand dug by members of the community . In November the lines will be tested by conveying the water down the whole course. At that time, a smaller reservoir will be lined with a membrane to prevent seepage and then filled with water. Water will be pulled from this smaller reservoir to irrigate the fields for planting in time for the beginning of the dry season in May.

The work on the green houses will begin throughout this period with the construction of adobes, the re-construction of an existing greenhouse, and the building of one new greenhouse with water catchment.

The community of Ccotataki extends their deep gratitude to the donors and volunteers who are helping to make this project possible.