Honduras

Water1st is proud to support COCEPRADIL, serving communities in Lempira, one of the poorest, most isolated regions of the country. COCEPRADIL is a cooperative composed of communities that have previously completed water and sanitation projects. They assist communities with long-term system maintenance and construct new systems for communities in need. Their model is incredibly effective and we believe that one day the COCEPRADIL headquarters will serve as a learning center for development organizations around the world.

A COCEPRADIL project provides the highest level of service possible, on par with a small public utility in the United States. Every home, school, and health clinic receives a water connection, toilet, shower, and water meter. The communities invest their labor to complete the project, including digging miles of pipeline trench. Households flourish and hygiene conditions improve dramatically when an ample supply of water is piped directly to the home.

ABOUT HONDURAS*

Population: 9,265,000
% living on less than $1.90/day: 16%
Partner: COCEPRADIL

COMPLETED PROJECTS

63 projects in 102 communities
39,189 people with clean water and toilets

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

16 projects serving 6,684 people in 16 communities
*Source: World Bank and UNICEF

Program Highlights

100% Access
In several municipalities in southern Lempira, we are approaching the goal of 100% access to water supply and toilets. Within 10 years, the entire region could achieve 100% access, serving as an example to the world of effective development work.
Local Government Participation
COCEPRADIL has leveraged its popularity in the region to capture the attention of local government. Mayors are required to contribute 30% of the overall project cost.
New Database

Development of a new centralized database allows for analysis of water meter data and payment information. COCEPRADIL can accurately set fee structures that lead to the best outcomes for health and resource conservation, while informing future project development.

Built, maintained, and operated by the community

As with all of the projects we support in Honduras, the Azacualpa Centro system was literally built by the people of Azacualpa Centro, under the guidance of our experienced Honduran colleagues. There were no trucks to carry 300-pound steel pipes or 100-pound bags of cement, no backhoes to dig trenches. Working together over the past year, the community dug 10 miles of pipeline trench and constructed a 50,000-gallon water storage tank. Every single family now has a toilet, a shower, and a kitchen faucet for washing hands, dishes, and laundry.

azacualpa centro tank under construciton
Water Systems
The mountainous geography of the Lempira region allows communities to build gravity flow water systems. High elevation springs serve as the water source. Water is piped to a storage tank, where it can be chlorinated, allowing for 24/7 water service. A network of pipes delivers water to each household, school, clinic, and community center.
High-quality toilets
Toilets are critical to the health equation. Each home, school, and community center is equipped with a flush toilet that is odorless and easy to keep clean.
Showers
Each household receives a shower room. For the first time in their lives, community members can bathe every day. Feelings of shame have been replaced with a sense of dignity.
Climate Change
The biggest challenge to our work in Lempira is climate change. Locating and purchasing mountain springs is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive. In response to this challenge, beginning in 2014, COCEPRADIL adopted the policy of metering water use at every household and community tap, including schools and health clinics. Meters encourage users to fix leaks and use water efficiently.
Hygiene Education
Community members attend hygiene workshops to learn how their new water system can contribute to healthier homes. Children are a critical focus of the hygiene-promotion activities because they are the principal victims of the water crisis. COCEPRADIL makes hygiene education fun with songs, games, and skits, all while demonstrating the importance of using a toilet and washing hands.

Sustainable Programmatic Strategy

Labor & cash contributions
Before a project starts, at least 80% of community households must sign a contract detailing their contributions. Project participants provide all labor required to construct the water system as well as a monetary contribution in the form of cash or a loan. The labor investment is significant and includes digging miles of pipeline trench by hand and carrying heavy pipe up steep hills. Because communities recognize the benefits of clean water, they work long days to guarantee project success.
Training, water committees & water bills
COCEPRADIL is particularly skilled at preparing communities to independently own and operate their systems. A local water committee, comprised of 50% women, is trained in all aspects of system management. Once a project is completed, each household pays a monthly water bill of about $2, enough to cover system operation, maintenance, and repair.
Watershed protection
Communities are educated about the symbiotic relationship between their water source and the surrounding watershed. They learn ways to restore and protect the watershed, including new agricultural practices that support the preservation of forest cover.
Independent rating

Received an independent evidence-based evaluation from the Water for Life Rating System and scoring “Recommended for Future Funding.”

cocepradil rating final2
Take a virtual tour of a typical project:

Stories from the field

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Wine sales tax and shipping fees
Sales tax: Sales tax is based on your address. We’ll send you a receipt that includes your sales tax and shipping fee (if applicable).

Approximate shipping costs: Complimentary Seattle-area deliveries for all purchases.

Fall 2023 promotion – Free shipping of orders of 12 bottles (1 case) or more. You may order as many cases as you want.

Please note approximate shipping costs vary depending on destination. Due to shipping fees that are beyond our control, our suggested minimum order is 3 bottles:
1-3 bottles $24-28
6 bottles $27-37
12 bottles $37-57
*If shipping to Alaska and Hawaii, please call the winery for a quote at (509) 875-2211

Shipping available to the following 34 states + Washington DC: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Water from Wine is a very small winery and unable to benefit from competitive shipping rates that larger wineries enjoy. Wine is shipped via UPS, which adds additional fees for shipping alcohol because an adult over 21 must sign for delivery. Water from Wine does not profit from shipping costs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Wine sales tax and shipping fees

Sales tax: Sales tax is based on your address. We’ll send you a receipt that includes your sales tax and shipping fee (if applicable).

Approximate shipping costs:
Fall 2021 promotion – Free shipping of orders of 12 bottles (1 case). You may order as many cases as you want. Free shipping promotion is limited to 2 cases/person/month.

Please note approximate shipping costs vary depending on destination. Due to shipping fees that are beyond our control, our suggested minimum order is 3 bottles:
1-3 bottles $24-28
6 bottles $27-37
12 bottles $37-57
*If shipping to Alaska and Hawaii, please call the winery for a quote at (509) 875-2211

Shipping available to the following 36 states + Washington DC: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Water from Wine is a very small winery and unable to benefit from competitive shipping rates that larger wineries enjoy. Wine is shipped via UPS, which adds additional fees for shipping alcohol because an adult over 21 must sign for delivery. Water from Wine does not profit from shipping costs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns..