505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
Document 505
Site Assessment – Guidance Checklist
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 1 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
Table of Contents
I) General Information ................................................................................................................. 3
Logistical Support ....................................................................................................................... 3
Health and Safety ........................................................................................................................ 3
Problem Identification ................................................................................................................ 4
Site Layout .................................................................................................................................. 4
Sustainability............................................................................................................................... 4
Material and Labor Availability and Costs ................................................................................. 4
Financial Capacity of Community .............................................................................................. 5
Organizational Capacity of Community ..................................................................................... 5
Technical Capacity of Community ............................................................................................. 5
Environmental Aspects ............................................................................................................... 6
Socio-Cultural Aspects ............................................................................................................... 6
Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................................... 7
II) Technical Information (by Project Type).............................................................................. 8
1.Water Supply Projects.................................................................................................................. 8
Water Quality Testing ................................................................................................................. 8
Supply/Demand........................................................................................................................... 8
Water Treatment ......................................................................................................................... 9
2.Sanitation Projects ..................................................................................................................... 10
Background Data ...................................................................................................................... 10
Wastewater Management .......................................................................................................... 10
Waste Treatment ....................................................................................................................... 11
Environmental Considerations .................................................................................................. 12
Overall Considerations.............................................................................................................. 12
3.Construction Projects ................................................................................................................. 13
Materials Availability/Testing .................................................................................................. 13
Constructability Issues .............................................................................................................. 13
Loading ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Labor & Community ................................................................................................................. 14
Bridges ...................................................................................................................................... 14
Buildings ................................................................................................................................... 14
4. Energy Projects ......................................................................................................................... 15
Solar .......................................................................................................................................... 15
Batteries .................................................................................................................................... 15
Grid connection ......................................................................................................................... 16
III) Recommended Reading ....................................................................................................... 16
APPENDIX A – Various Forms for Data Collection ................................................................... 17
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 2 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
I) General Information
The purpose of this document is to provide additional guidance to chapters on data that they
should collect during the assessment phase of their project. This checklist should be used
along with the instructions for the 521-Pre-Assesmsent Report and the 901 Program Plan and
Baseline Study for a complete understanding of all data that should be collected and presented
during the assessment phase.
Other guidance materials that are available on the Member Pages of the EWB-USA website
include EWB-USA Guidelines, EWB-USA Technical Presentations, Example Submittals, PreRecorded Technical Presentations, and links to various other technical resources that are
relevant to EWB-USA projects but were produced by other organizations.
Overview
This information should have been provided in the 501 document submitted by the community,
but this information should be confirmed with the community partners prior to or during first
assessment trip.
What are the demographics of the community – total population, population density, distribution
in the town and vicinity, geographical size of community, proximity to transportation?
1. What is the makeup of the community – ethnic groups, ages, economic status, work
force, community resources, political organization of the community, educational level of
the community and community leaders, language skills?
2. What social events should the chapter plan around (tribal holidays, Western holidays,
etc)?
3. What are the goals of the partnering NGO and what resources can they provide?
4. Are there other EWB-USA chapters in the region/country?
Logistical Support
This is the type of information that should be confirmed with your community partners before
traveling on first assessment trip.
1. Where will volunteers stay during trips to the community?
2. How many can comfortably be supported by the community? Please keep in mind that
large numbers of visitors put an undue burden on the community.
3. Contacts in the area or community that can be used throughout your program
 Translators, skilled labor etc.
 Local Health Promoters
 Teachers
4. Where will volunteers eat; what water can they drink safely?
5. How will the team travel within the country?
6. Will the local NGO partner provide assistance with travel coordination and translation?
Health and Safety
This is information that should be included and used to guide the development of the
Health and Safety Plan. This information should be confirmed with your community
partners before traveling on first assessment trip.
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 3 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
1. Are there any specific safety risks (i.e. old land mines, political problems, racial/religious
conflicts) in the community?
2. Are there any specific safety climate risks (i.e. high altitude, temperature, insects) that
need to addressed?
3. Identify key contact information for emergency situations (i.e. local hospital, local police,
US Embassy, local community partner, local NGO partner, local Peace Corps volunteer)
4. What safety precautions are needed for implementation, such as trenching, pouring
concrete, electrical work, etc.?
5. What are the methods of safe transportation to /from the community?
6. Identify an emergency meeting point in the community
Problem Identification
This section includes information that should correspond and relate to the Project Description
section (Part II) in the 521 report.
1. What is problem, as identified by the community?
2. What is the history of the problem/need? If more than one need, what is the priority of
the needs?
3. Have similar problems been addressed elsewhere?
4. Have other groups attempted to resolve the problem(s)?
5. Are there other appraisals available for this area (Peace Corps, NGOs) published, web?
**The remaining sections should be used to help guide the following sections in
the 521 report: Objectives of Site Assessment Trip, Data Collection and Analysis,
Schedule of Tasks, and Go/No Go Decision.**
Site Layout
This section includes information you should be gathering to develop a map and/or site layout
for your project.
1. What are the boundaries of the community?
2. Note status and location of all existing utility systems (water, wastewater, power, phone)
serving the community, if any, and sources.
3. Obtain maps of the community (topographical, location of homes, existing utilities,
geographical, site survey etc.).
4. Conduct surveying to fill any gaps in the locally available maps.
5. Confirm that all proposed work will be done on public lands or on private property with
written permission from property owner.
Sustainability
Material and Labor Availability and Costs
1. What hardware stores will be used during construction? Do the local hardware stores
have all the required materials, or will they need to be purchased in a nearby city?
2. What is the quality of the construction materials? For example, what type of pipe can be
easily purchased for construction of a water supply project and what is the pressure
rating?
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 4 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
3. What are the costs for those materials? The cost estimate for your design cannot refer
to U.S. material sources such as Home Depot.
4. Obtain cut sheets, specifications and/or pictures of key material that will be used for your
project.
5. How will the material be transported to the construction site? What is the additional
charge for material transport?
6. What skilled labor is available for the project and what are the costs? For example, if an
electrician will be needed, how much will they cost and what are their qualifications?
7. Where will materials be safely stored, if required?
8. Will the system perform better, or as well as, similar systems in the country or region
used by current populations, other EWB-USA chapters or other NGOs?
Financial Capacity of Community
1. What is the primary form of income for residents in the community?
2. What bills and taxes do residents current pay (electric, phone, water, etc.)?
3. What are residents willing to pay for operation and maintenance of implemented
infrastructure?
4. What are the ways the community raises funds for communal projects?
5. Can the community contribute financially to the capital cost of the project (a minimum of
5% is required of all EWB-USA projects)?
6. What are the different ways the community can contribute to the project, including inkind contributions?
7. What are the financial mechanisms for managing money for operation and
maintenance?
8. Can the community take on 100% of the future operation and maintenance costs?
9. Does the system adversely impact any existing economic or commerce activities in the
community?
10. Will the project interrupt or curtail any commercial activities by diverting or reducing the
use of existing resources?
Organizational Capacity of Community
1. Is there an existing committee to manage this project and lead the eventual operation
and maintenance?
2. Will this committee or specific maintenance people be responsible for operation and
maintenance?
3. Are there country- or region-specific norms around committee formation? For example,
many countries have a standard structure for water committees.
Technical Capacity of Community
1. Are the proposed technologies familiar to the community?
2. If the community does not have familiarity with the technology, are there neighboring
communities that do? Is the technology common in the region or country?
3. Are there local technicians familiar with the technologies being proposed?
Local Government
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 5 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
1. What is the structure of the existing local municipal government?
2. Does the community have a local mayor and when is the next local mayoral
election?
3. Does the municipality or regional government have any engineering projects planned
for the community in the near future?
4. Are there any local laws or regulations that need to be followed?
Environmental Aspects
1. Where are project materials derived from; where is waste disposed? Does the project
encourage waste generation or natural resource depletion?
2. Does the project promote excessive material use and consumerism?
3. Are sensitive ecosystems being adversely impacted by the project, e.g. for a well project:
who will monitor the aquifer and watershed?
4. Would natural resources be conserved even if the project is widely adopted?
5. If the project was applied in all villages in the entire watershed/region, what could
happen?
6. If the project was used long-term, what impact is expected on the environment?
7. What is the end-of-life for the engineered product: is it biodegradable, non-toxic,
reusable?
8. What is the life cycle (cradle to grave) analyses of inputs and outputs of project at a local
and regional scale?
9. Does the system adversely impact any natural resources (water, air, soil, open space) of
the community or area?
10. Does the project preempt or impose upon any other uses of natural resources?
11. Does the project create any new waste or pollution?
Socio-Cultural Aspects
1. Does the EWB-USA project also help preserve indigenous culture and knowledge?
2. Are you capitalizing on existing indigenous knowledge?
3. Does the EWB-USA project support and respect the local cultural structures? Could
local traditions be interrupted or lost, e.g. TV is attributed to a decline in community
story-telling?
4. Do local social structures exist in the village to approve or veto a project of this type?
Are these local social structures and elders respected within the local community?
5. Are there segments of society that may be marginalized by the project (they may not
necessarily have a voice)? How may they be integrated into the project?
6. Does the project preserve continuity and enhance self-reliance and self-image of the
community by integrating new technologies with existing successful traditions?
7. Are there regional or national governmental permits or approval needed?
8. How do gender roles affect the successful implementation of the project?
9. Does the project disrupt daily routines of residents?
10. Will the project commitment by the community strain community relationships?
11. Will the project promote social equity consistent with their cultural norms?
12. Does the project provide benefits to all residents?
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 6 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
13. Have all residents or their representatives been involved in the planning of the project?
14. Does the community see the project as a “high priority”?
Monitoring and Evaluation
1. Is the community aware of the anticipated engineering outcome of the project? Can they
assist in defining a metric for this and monitoring it?
2. Who among the community may be trained to gather data on project outcomes?
3. Who among the community is observant and would notice any unexpected negative
consequences of the project on the community or the ecosystem?
4. Are there any constraints that could impact the success of the project?
5. Develop a list of criteria to determine if the project is feasible.
6. What are the selected standard indicators that will be used to conduct monitoring and
evaluation? (select from the 906 document) Is the community aware of these indicators
that will be used?
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 7 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
II) Technical Information (by Project Type)
1. Water Supply Projects
Please review the guidelines and resources that are available on our website for
additional guidance. Please be aware of the following Guidelines that have been
prepared by the Water Standing Content Committee to provide guidance on various
water supply projects.
 Drilled Well Design Checklist
 Biosand Filters Guidelines
 Electrical Guidelines for Pump Projects
 Water Resources Guidelines
 Microbial Assessment for Water
 Estimating Average Daily Demand Guidance Sheet
 Design Checklist for Rainwater Catchment Projects
Water Quality Testing
Refer to the Water Testing Guidance Sheet, which is available on the website under EWB-USA
Guidelines, for direction on water quality assessment work.
1. What water quality parameters will you test?
2. Will you conduct your own water quality testing, or send samples to a lab? How much
will it cost?
3. Are there local or national water quality requirements?
4. Are there specific contaminants that should be tested for, such as heavy metals?
Supply/Demand
Refer to the Estimating Average Daily Demand Guidance Sheet, which is available on the
website under EWB-USA Guidelines.
1. What is the capacity or supply of each source – seasonal flow rates, productivity of
aquifer, rainfall?
2. What is the demand now and in the future?
Site topography and Survey
A good handheld GPS is only accurate to +/- 3ft in XY and +/- 10ft in Z at best; see your owner’s
manual for information on your GPS unit. In general, a hand level will provide better accuracy.
1. Is there a local university that could provide surveying equipment and/or students to
volunteer their time to assist with the surveying?
2. Whose land will the pipeline cross? Are there any ownership rights that need to be
addressed?
3. Are there water rights or laws surrounding water rights that you should be aware of?
4. What types of valves and pipes are available locally? What is the maximum pressure for
locally available pipes and valves?
5. Where will the taps be located, how many people will use each tap?
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 8 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
6. Will taps be installed in households or in a central location? If household taps are used,
Chapter must consider wastewater issues, impact of additional water usage, who gets
water first, etc.
7. With more water, there is more wastewater. How will this be treated/channeled? Are
there any additional health risks associated with this water (i.e. Malaria)?
8. What is the existing water source?
a. River
i. Who is downstream of the community that may be affected by this
diversion or water?
ii. What are flows and water elevations during high and low flow conditions?
b. Spring:
i. Is a spring box needed? What materials are available for the spring box?
ii. What does the spring look like in the low and high flow conditions?
iii. Who owns the spring?
iv. Does a tap need to reside on the spring box for people who used that
spring for watering their animals?
c. Groundwater (Wells)
i. Are there wells in the area? How much do their water levels fluctuate?
ii. What kind of pumping rates can be achieved?
iii. What is the depth to potable water? Is there more than one aquifer? Is the
aquifer protected?
iv. Who will monitor the well?
v. What are the distances to latrines in the area?
vi. Is there possible surface water intrusion on the well?
vii. Are there local drillers?
Water Treatment
1. What kinds of source water protection measures are possible?
2. What materials are available locally; what are their costs?
 Chlorine (are trained personnel available as well?)
 Sand or carbon filtration
 Pumice or gravels
 Solar Disinfection (SODIS): What is the suitability of household rooftops and
availability of safe bottles? How will bottles be disposed?
3. What treatment technologies is the community familiar with?
4. What are the technical skills of community? Who is qualified to maintain treatment?
5. What are the operational costs? Can the community afford to operate and maintain
treatment system?
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 9 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
2.
Sanitation Projects
Please review the guidelines and resources that are available on our website for
additional guidance. Please be aware of the following Guidelines that have been
prepared by our Standing Content Committees to provide guidance on sanitation
projects.
 Wastewater Guidelines
Background Data
1. What is the source of the wastewater, i.e. toilets, washwater, greywater?
2. Can sources of wastewater be segregated to simplify or reduce costs of construction
and maintenance? Source separation or segregation of wastes can reduce the volume
of water requiring treatment and the resulting expense and influence the type of
treatment needed to purify the water, for example:
i. Feces could be collected and separately treated in a pit or composting latrine
ii. Urine can be separated and beneficially used for fertilizer
iii. Greywater (water only used for washing dishes and bathing) may require less
treatment or a smaller treatment area that water bearing feces.
3. What quantities of waste (solid or water borne) will be generated, including volume/mass
of feces and urine, as well as materials used for anal cleansing (paper, water, plant
materials, etc) need to be considered?
4. All systems generate solid waste materials or biosolids - consider methods to collect and
reuse biosolids should be included.
i. What quantities of biosolids will be generated?
ii. Are there adequate systems to collect the biosolids?
iii. Can biosolids be composted?
iv. Have odors and vectors (flies and rodents), and contamination of storm water
been considered?
v. Can the biosolids be beneficially used (applied to amend soils)?
5. What is the site topography for proposed system?
Wastewater Management
Both social and technical alternatives should be considered.
Social:
1. What are the social issues surrounding the proposed system?
2. Is there a need for separate men’s and women’s facilities?
3. Are there accessibility issues to be considered? Will children be using the facilities?
4. Are there cultural habits, taboos, fears and inconvenience that will deter the system from
being used?
Technical:
1. What alternatives should be considered/evaluated to solve the problem?
i.
Pit latrine
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 10 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Ventilated pit latrines
Composting latrines
Water privy
Pour flush latrines
Flushing toilets with treatment

Septic tanks followed by soils based absorption systems (SBAS), a.k.a.
“leachfields”

Media filters, e.g. textile, peat, sand

Recirculating sand filters (if pumps are available)

Aerobic plants (require electricity)

Sand filters (closed and open bottom)

Constructed wetlands, overland flow

Lagoons
2. For latrines, consider the following questions.
i.
What type of materials will be used for the superstructure? Are those materials
locally available?
ii.
What type of ventilation will be used to control odors and enhance biodegradation
of the feces and evaporation of urine?
iii.
How will the system be protected from Insects and rodents?
iv.
Is there adequate slope to drain away from the superstructure?
v.
What type of covering will be used over the vault?
vi.
What type of seat will be used?
vii.
What the depth, volume and lining requirements for the pit?
viii.
What is the distance from water sources and wells? Are there local requirements
that you must follow?
Waste Treatment
Water latrines and pour flush latrines rely upon treatment and dispersal of wastewater into the
surrounding soils
1.
If the system will rely upon soil treatment (e.g. a “leach field”, pour flush latrine, seepage
pit), are the soil conditions and available area for infiltration conducive to this type of
treatment?
2.
Consider the subsurface conditions that impact performance:
i.
Soil types/percolations rates - soil can be classified using the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) textural triangle into sandy loams, loams, and sandy clay
loams or using the Unified Soils Classification System (USCS) into SW, SC, CL,
CH, etc. In areas where pan evaporation exceeds precipitation for most months
soils classified as clays (CL, CH) may require large absorption systems or the use
of an evapotranspirative type of system; A quick percolation test can be performed
in possible disposal area(s)
ii. Depth to groundwater - a minimum of 12”-18” separation between the infiltrative
surface of the leach field and groundwater is required; if depth to groundwater is
unsatisfactory, a mound system may be utilized, provided there sufficient quantity
of fill soils to create a mound
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 11 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
Construction, Collection, and Conveyance
1.
Consider the required materials, labor and equipment required to construct the
components of the treatment system, including:
i. Concrete and wood forms for a septic tank
ii. Sand for sand filters
iii. Mortar and bricks for a seepage pit or vault.
iv. Piping to convey wastewater to the treatment system
v. Labor and equipment to excavate pits, pipeline trenches, leach fields
vi. Wood or brick for privy superstructures
2.
How much pipe will be required to convey the wastewater from the source to the
treatment system? What is the cost for materials and labor? The cost and labor of a
system will increase significantly with systems that require a lot of piping (ie, septic tanks
with SBAS and lagoons or constructed wetlands systems).
Environmental Considerations
1. Will the system prevent or minimize contamination or further degrade the receiving
waters (surface lakes, streams and groundwater)?
2. Is the level of treatment provided by the system sufficient to prevent degradation of
receiving waters?
3. Can water be re-used for beneficial uses, e.g. crop irrigation?
i. In areas with plenty of rainfall, reuse of the wastewater may not be worth
pursuing; however, in areas where water is scarce, reuse should be carefully
considered
ii. If wastewater will be re-used, the uses of the water will significantly influence the
degree of treatment and performance assurance of the system must be carefully
considered.
iii. If the water can be re-used, how will the water be stored and applied to crops?
4. Can the gas from biological treatment processes can be collected and used for cooking
and heating (biogas plant), possibly including animal waste?
Overall Considerations
1. Is the project feasible from a social, economic, technical, standpoint?
2. Is the project “buildable”?
3. Have several alternatives been considered? The ideal solution for a project may require
a single system, e.g. vault privy, while other situations may require a combination of
systems; several alternatives should be considered following the site assessment
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 12 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
3. Construction Projects
Please review the guidelines and resources that are available on our website for
additional guidance. Please be aware of the following Guidelines that have been
prepared by our Standing Content Committees to provide guidance on structural / civil
works projects.
 Structural Guidelines
 EWB-USA Bridge Design Guidelines
This section would also include the structural components of another type of project,
such as a water supply or sanitation project. It could include any of the following
structure being considered: water tanks, buildings of any sort, culverts, bridges, pole
support structures, modifications to existing structures, etc.
Materials Availability/Testing
1. What building materials are readily available? Keep in mind that it is not enough to just
know if ready-mixed concrete is available, you also have to form the concrete so are
forming material (i.e. plywood) must be available
2. Are local materials available such as sand, gravel, or wood?
3. Can you ascertain the strengths of the available building materials? I.E. grade of
reinforcing bars, strength of concrete mix, grade or strength of concrete masonry blocks,
grade or strength of corrugated metal panels, etc.
i. Materials cannot be assumed to be the strength in text books
ii. Conservative estimate for concrete strength is 2300PSI if it is mixed by hand
iii. All rebar should be tested for large construction
4. Can materials be reproduced by others?
5. What codes will inform the basis of your design? Are there local codes or will you use
the International Building Code?
6. What rebar sizes are available locally?
Constructability Issues
1. Can materials be delivered to a remote site?
2. If heavy equipment of any kind (backhoe) is required, where will it be obtained?
3. Can concrete trucks access the site and be emptied in 90 minutes? Hot or windy
weather will shorten this time.
4. Where are materials going to be stored and stockpiled?
5. How will materials be protected from rain and/or theft?
6. Is testing necessary; if so, how will this be done?
7. What will you do with waste?
8. What is the condition of the road to the site? Is it useable by cargo vehicles?
9. Is power available for using powered equipment?
10. Are there specific safety issues that should be considered during construction?
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 13 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
Loading
1. If your structure will generate even moderate loadings to the soil, can you determine
some of the soil’s properties in order to make a valid judgment about the allowable soil
bearing pressure?
2. Can you make valid assumptions about the environmental loadings to your structure
such as for wind and seismic?
Labor & Community
1. Depending on the type of structure you are contemplating, does the community have the
skills to assist you with the construction and learn from you and then be able to replicate
this type of construction?
2. Contemplate and evaluate the potential for future expansion to your proposed structure;
plan and design for this, if needed, from the very start.
3. What is the common construction method for houses in the country, i.e. masonry,
concrete, adobe, etc?
4. Are technicians available from the local government or NGO’s for the project?
5. Take photos of site from various angles for reference later; photos of other construction
techniques in city or villages will be helpful later.
6. What skills will be required for the long-term operation and maintenance of the system?
Who is the community will be responsible for long-term O&M?
Bridges
For sophisticated structures such as a bridge or culvert crossing, you must have team members
that are well versed in obtaining the detailed information for the bridge or culvert crossing.
These detailed items include:
1. Stream hydrology
2. Highest level of flooding
3. Scour-out protection
4. Roadway alignment
5. Detailed foundation study/evaluation
6. Vehicle loading
7. Impact loading
8. Construction sequencing
9. Survey longitudinally for bridge sites; check high flow and erosion problems up stream
Buildings
1. Where will the building be located? Who owns the property?
2. What are the overall dimensions of the building?
3. What materials will be used for the slab, building, and roof?
4. How will plumbing and electricity in the building be addressed?
5. What types of soils exist and how will that impact the foundation design?
6. What is the existing topography? Will there be positive drainage+e away from the
building?
7. Will the building provide sufficient ventilation?
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 14 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
4. Energy Projects
Please review the guidelines and resources that are available on our website for
additional guidance. Please be aware of the following Guidelines that have been
prepared by our Standing Content Committees to provide guidance on energy projects.
 Energy Guidelines
 Design Checklist for Solar PV Projects
 Recommendations for PV Projects
Solar
The following primary guidelines MUST be considered for the assessment of any solar project.
1.
Consider the risk of theft and vandalism inherent to any solar project. As such, many
NGO’s have a policy of not implementing solar projects in developing communities.
Chapters must develop a comprehensive plan for mounting and securing panels in order
to prevent theft and damage.
2.
The brand and model of panel being installed must be available from an in-country
distributor. Additionally, all maintenance and replacement materials must be available
locally including mounting, sealant and electrical equipment.
3.
What is the cost-benefit for each energy alternative? This should be prepared and used
to inform the proposed design.
4.
What equipment will be powered? Is this considered a basic need?
5.
What is the needed kWh output and how will this vary throughout the year?
6.
What is the latitude and longitude of the community?
7.
How will the output of the system vary throughout the year?
8.
How many cloudy days throughout the year?
9.
What equipment is available locally?
10.
Where will the solar panels be placed?
i. What angle will result in maximum efficiency?
ii. Can the panels be roof mounted or will some sort of ground mount be needed?
iii. What materials are available for this?
iv. Can the roof support a worker’s weight? What reinforcement will be needed for the
roof so that the panels can be mounted?
v. Is there any shading (even a very small amount of shading can severely reduce the
panel’s output – make sure to read about this)?
vi. If there is shading, can the obstruction be removed (i.e. cut down the tree), is yes,
who will do this and what impact will it have?
11.
What is the distance from the panels to the batteries or grid tie?
12.
How will the power be routed to the batteries, converters, loads?
Batteries
1. Where will the batteries be stored?
2. What ventilation is available (the buildup of hydrogen gas is a hazard)?
3. How will they be secured against damage and theft?
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 15 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
4. How will the batteries be disposed? Batteries contain undesirable materials such as lead
and cadmium that would be harmful if they leaked into water supplies.
5. How many days of backup are needed?
6. What batteries are available locally for replacement?
7. What is the long-term operation and maintenance costs? Batteries are going to be the
main maintenance cost for the system, and it has to be affordable for the community or
the system will simply stop working when the batteries fail in 3-5 years.
8. Is distilled water available for the batteries?
Grid connection
1. Who is the AC electrician who will connect this system to the grid?
2. What is the demarcation point going to be?
3. What type of metering is available?
4. Who will be in charge of maintenance?
5. What is the cost for the grid connection?
III) Recommended Reading
1) Field Guide to Appropriate Technology by Christopher Bull and Barrett Hazeltine
2) Engineering in Emergencies by Jan Davis and Robert Lambert
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 16 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
APPENDIX A – Various Forms for Data Collection
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 17 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
Construction
Project Location:
GPS ID:
Longitude
Latitude
Elevation
Tool
Shovel
Hammer
Wheelbarrow
Screen
Wire
Trowels
Buckets
Pick
Screw
Drivers
Saws
Date:
deg
deg
(ft or m?)
min
min
Cost / Unit
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
Transportation Cost / Day or Distance
Jeep
/
Pickup Tuck
/
3t truck
/
5t truck
/
Porter
/
Access Road
type, condition
Map/Directions:
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
sec
sec
Notes:
Material
Cement
Lime
Sand
Gravel
Rock
Screen
Wire
Metal Roofing
Reinforcing
Bars
Wood
Paint
Nails
Screws
Bolts
Glass
Cost / Unit
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
Labor
Unskilled
Lborer
Skilled Laborer
Technician
Engineer
Other
Cost/Day
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
Page 18 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
TOPOGRAPHY/GEOLOGY
Project Location:
GPS ID:
Longitude
deg
Latitude
deg
Elevation
(ft or m?)
Geology:
Revised 10/2015
Date:
min
min
sec
sec
Notes:
Maps or Reference:
General Notes on Terrain & Vegetation:
Map:
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 19 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
WELL
Project/Location:
GPS ID:
Longitude
Latitude
Elevation
Date:
deg
deg
(ft or m?)
min
min
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Depth to Groundwater
(high/low if seasonal)
Depth to Top of
Sediments
Depth of Sediments in
Well
Diameter of Well
sec
sec
Notes:
WATER QUALITY
Units
(ft or m?)
(ft or m?)
pH
(ft or m?)
Alkalinity
(ft or m?)
Units
Copper
mg/L
mg/L
Lead
mg/L
Chlorides
NH3
Nitrate
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
Nitrite
mg/L
Mercury
Arsenic
Hardness
Coliform
Bacteria
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
MPN
SOIL PROFILE: Describe Soil/Rock Subsurface
USE:
How Many People Use the Well?
Does the Well Go Dry/When?
What is Proximity of Livestock?
Well Priority (high/med/low)?
Can the aquifer support this use?
Who will monitor the aquifer?
Can the wellhead be protected?
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
NOTES:
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 20 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
LATRINE
Project/Location:
GPS ID:
Longitude
Latitude
Elevation
Date:
deg
deg
(ft or m?)
min
min
sec Notes:
sec
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Diameter of Latrine
Depth to Top of Waste
Depth of Latrine
Percolation Rate of Soil?
(ft or m?)
(ft or m?)
(ft or m?)
min/in
SOIL PROFILE:
Describe Soil/Rock Subsurface:
USE:
How Many People Use the Latrine?
What is the Level of Waste in Latrine?
Do Women/Men/Children Use Latrine?
Distance/Direction to Well?
Well Priority (high/med/low)?
Wind Direction? Who will smell it?
NOTES:
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 21 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
SURFACE WATER
Project/Location:
GPS ID:
Longitude
Latitude
Elevation
Date:
deg
deg
(ft or m?)
sec Notes:
sec
min
min
Notes:
WATER QUALITY
Units
pH
Alkalinity
Chlorides
NH3
Nitrate
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
Nitrite
mg/L
Pollutants:
VOCs
MAP:
µg/L
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Arsenic
Hardness
Coliform
Bacteria
TPH
Pesticides
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Units
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
MPN
mg/L
µg/L
Page 22 of 23
505 – Site Assessment Form
Revised 10/2015
RIVERS/STREAMS
Project/Location:
Name of Water Body:
GPS ID:
Longitude
Latitude
Elevation
RIVER/STREAM:
Width
Depth
Velocity
Flow Rate
WATER QUALITY
Units
pH
Alkalinity
mg/L
Chlorides
mg/L
NH3
mg/L
Nitrate
mg/L
Nitrite
mg/L
Date:
deg
deg
(ft or m?)
min
min
sec
sec
Notes:
Sketch Cross Section of River/Stream:
m
m
m/s
m3/s
Notes:
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Arsenic
Hardness
Coliform
Bacteria
Units
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
MAP:
© 2015 Engineers Without Borders USA. All Rights Reserved
Page 23 of 23