Toby Weisensel, of Jefferson, earns Eagle Scout rank by installing water distribution system

After asking local organizations around the area, determined Weisensel found the perfect project.

He installed a water distribution system for the West Elementary WEGrow Garden Club his junior year of high school with the help of Diane Kachel, Mike Hotter, Ryan Mundt and Troop 147.

This system allows volunteers taking care of the garden to easily water the garden and will provide the garden water supply that will be long lasting, well over five years.

This system is a water distribution that has a pipe running down the garden, underground, that provides water to ten different garden beds.

He persevered through the many challenges that came with the project.

The year he started this project happened to be the summer of COVID-19 in 2020.

“No one could execute anything,” he said. “Not much happened, and during that time it was hard for me to even find motivation.”

He and other members of Troop 147 finally got to work in 2021.

They bought materials for the project such as PVC piping to install underground. However with the coronavirus-related supply shortage Weisensel, and others who helped him, weren’t able to access a trencher that was needed to finish the project.

When he was able to find a trencher, there was a last minute material change.

A plumber told Weisensel the PVC pipe system would leak after a couple of years. PVC pipe is good for above ground use, but not so much for underground use, he said.

After collaboration, Weisensel decided to use PEX-A pipes for the project. They are weather resistant, and last longer underground, Weisensel said.

“The project was a challenge,” he said. “It tested my skills as a leader. Throughout the project I learned leadership is about trusting who you’re leading as much as they are trusting in you.”

The water distribution is still being used and should be for quite some time, he said.

Weisensel is currently a University of Wisconsin Madison freshman majoring in Environmental Engineering. Even though this project was completed in the summer of 2021, Weisensel still values the skills he learned in the process.

“Overall it was very fulfilling. I learned good technical, organizational and leadership skills that I will carry with me,” he said.