Lifewater's Training Center
Lifewater’s Training Center in San Luis Obispo, California, has been established to provide a place where people can gain hands-on experience drilling a well, repairing a hand pump, building a biosand filter, or constructing a latrine.
The classroom, nicknamed “The Willow Tree Water School,” consists of benches under a spreading willow tree. In the spring, cattle graze in the pasture where we hold our training. Even though the school is on the edge of town just one mile from the airport, it is easy to imagine that you are in a rural African village. In fact, the grass that blankets the pasture where we work is native to South Africa. But so far, no lions have been spotted!
Our Training Center is located only a few minutes from the San Luis Obispo regional airport. There is a wide range of motels available nearby (see below). The class fee includes all meals, which are served family-style in the ranch house at the Training Center.
The following classes are taught at Lifewater’s Training Center:
Shallow Well Drilling
Student drillers will encounter a variety of sediment types so they are able to experience the behavior of the LS100 and LS200 drill rigs under different drilling conditions.
Hand Pump Repair
The Willow Tree Water School has five wells equipped with different kinds of hand pumps that represent technology commonly encountered throughout the world. We have collected broken hand pump parts from different countries, so students encounter real pump problems to solve.
We learn best by doing, so students in Lifewater’s biosand filtration course learn how to make a mold, cast a cement biosand filter vessel, and prepare the filter for use.
Sanitation: Latrine Design & Construction
Cast a concrete latrine slab, learn how to line a pit, and see different ways to build a latrine structure.
All classes taught at our Training Center emphasize safety. We are adamant about providing a safe learning experience. Each student team is supervised by an experienced trainer. Students are taught safe procedures and always wear hard hats when working with the equipment. Gloves are provided for students who do not bring their own.
Climate:
The weather in San Luis Obispo is very mild. Morning temperatures are cool (mid 60s). We’re not far from the ocean, so mornings are often foggy. Mid-afternoon temperatures are warm to hot (70s to upper 80s). It is usually windy in the afternoon. Humidity is very low and it almost never rains between late spring and early fall when our classes at the Training Center are scheduled.
Location:
San Luis Obispo is located on the central California coast, half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Highway 101 passes through town. Our Training Center is at 173 Buckley Road (enter at the Thousand Hills Pet Resort).
Transportation Options:
The San Luis Obispo airport (SBP) offers scheduled flights by United Express (SkyWest) and US Airways. Most flights to San Luis Obispo pass through Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), or Phoenix (PHX). The Coast Flyer (http://Silveradotours.com) is a very comfortable bus between downtown San Luis Obispo and LAX. Other shuttle services from LAX to San Luis Obispo are available.
Recommended Lodging:
Motel 6 San Luis Obispo South
1625 Calle Joaquin Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA
(805) 541-6992
Courtyard by Marriott
1605 Calle Joaquin Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA
(805) 786-4200
Students are encouraged to share a room; arrangements can be made during pre-class conference calls. A limited number of home stays are sometimes available. Call the Lifewater office (805-541-6634) for details.
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