HEALTH AND SANITATION 35
Ashley said since the wash stations were set up near the Campus Centre in late October , they have been monitoring four data collectors on each station that record external and internal temperature , as well as that of the water itself .
“ Here in Wisconsin , we definitely get below-zero temperatures , so if it can withstand these temperatures here , it can definitely withstand the ones in Arizona and on the reservation . So , our data that we ’ re collecting is a comparison to see what kind of temperatures the unit will be exposed to during these winter months and seeing if our design will ultimately combat those temperatures and be able to withstand the winter .”
Ceurvorst said in addition to concerns about the wash stations freezing during the winter , they are looking for ways to make them less bulky and more portable . She said the original structural members were too large , so she was able to figure out a more efficient pipe size .
“ There are steel square tube members that are welded together for the structure of the thing ,” she said , “ so I figured out the proper sizing for that so that it would still support the weight of the water when it was full in the tank . That reduced the weight about 200 pounds .”
Ceurvorst said in terms of functionality , they would like to add a view window so it would be possible to see how much water is in the tank , as well as removable lids to make it easier to clean the tank . They also are working on a plan for what to do with the greywater that results from people washing their hands . For the prototypes on the MSOE campus , that water is being diverted to a nearby plant bed .
This is not the first time Ashley and Ceurvorst have used their knowledge and skills to benefit others .
Ashley has participated in Water Brigades , which is part of MSOE ’ s Global Brigades programme , since she was a freshman , and travelled to Nicaragua and Panama to help build fresh-water systems in rural communities .
standpoint . Lorge was an instructor of the plumbing apprenticeship program at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton , Wisconsin , when he and Nelson served as coaches for Team USA in the 2015 Community Plumbing Challenge ( CPC ) in Nashik , India , and the 2016 CPC in Diepsloot , South Africa .
“ It was a natural fit to call on Doug Nelson and his MSOE students to take these wash station designs to the next level ,” Lorge said . “ Doug immediately connected our IWSH team with Sarah and Katie , who are two outstanding engineering students . We had some great back-andforth technical discussions with them . Those discussions included a Q & A session with the DigDeep team , which were also very positive .”
“ I am also very proud of the support IWSH received from UA Local 400 on this project ,” Lorge added . “ For each of the Community Plumbing Challenges over the past five years , they have literally shown the world that their members are ready and willing to help whenever and wherever they are needed . The skills and craftsmanship they bring to help the CPCs are second to none and the prototypes reflect it . We will be excited to reconnect with them — and hopefully , several other UA Locals around the country — for the next phase of this initiative : a nationwide Wash Station Challenge manufacturing project which we are planning to launch early next year .”
The upcoming Wash Station Challenge will focus on the skills education and training development of UA members around the country . Jeremy Meyers , a journeyman who is a welding instructor at UA Local 400 , took charge of fabricating the first prototypes in Wisconsin this fall , making him one of the first volunteers to participate in the project . “ Being able to help people in need through Local 400 was truly a great experience ; I was happy to help in any way I could ,” Meyers said . “ It was fun working with other local members and watch it all come together .”
More information about the upcoming Wash Station Challenge , as well as updates , will be available on the IWSH website and social media . PA
“ It was an amazing experience seeing the actual impact that we had and got to learn some things from it ,” she said , “ and bringing that to the United States is great .”
Ceurvorst was in Engineers without Borders and helped design a schoolhouse that was part of a project built in Jayobaj , Guatemala . She has also been involved in the Servant-Leadership program at MSOE , of which Nelson is the chair since her freshman year .
“ It really opened my eyes to what I want to spend my time and spend my life doing , and to serve others with the gifts and the knowledge that I have in my free time whenever I can ; it really makes everything else worth it .”
Randy Lorge , director of Workforce Training and Development for IAPMO and a UA Local 400 member , is leading the overall project from the IWSH
Hand-washing station prototype units are being developed at a college in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , which then will be delivered to the Navajo Nation .
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June 2021 Volume 27 I Number 4 www . plumbingafrica . co . za