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On December 26, 2004, the second largest earthquake ever recorded caused a series oftsunamis in the Indian Ocean. The effects of the "Boxing Day Tsunami" were devastating to the poor,low-lying island nation of Maldives. In response to the devastation, USAID provided $1.9 million innew programming to benefit two of the largest islands, Hinnavaru and Naifaru. The objectives of theprogram included improvements in health care services (reducing acute and chronic illness)and building local capacity. One critical aspect of implementing the health care services program wasprovision of a safe and reliable potable water supply utilizing desalination. The technical aspects ofthe project involved the design, installation, and commissioning of two donated 8,000 GPD seawaterdesalination units on the islands of Hinnavaru and Naifaru. As part of ensuring the technicalsustainability of the program, the humanitarian aspects of the project included team building andcoordination, community assessment and mobilization, community health education, and capacitybuilding of local governmental organization, in addition to the training of local operators andprovision of ongoing technical support. This paper focuses on both the technical aspects of theproject and the project sustainability of implementing desalination in the developing world. Thetechnical aspects of this project included several elements: an open seawater intake system; pretreatmentutilizing multimedia filters; seawater reverse osmosis units; stabilization and disinfection processes; brinemanagement; a distribution network; and, an emergency generator. One key aspect of project sustainabilitywas the inclusion of stakeholders on both the governmental and local level. The authors coordinatedthe interests of USAID, three Maldivian government organizations, island chiefs, and local watercommittees. Includes tables, figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/01/2009 Number of Pages: 12File Size: 1 file , 950 KB