Project Mission
This project aims to construct a reliable water supply and transmission system that will provide sufficient clean water to the people of the community and enable the improvement of their health and quality of life.
Project Background
The What?
Water Conduction Line at Lagunas Cuaches
The Where?
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
The Who?
700+ household (~3882 people) made of farmers
The Issue
- Less than half the community do not have direct access to clean potable water
- Health issues due to contaminated water
Current water sources
- 1 spring source and 1 well source that serves only half of the community
- The spring source is contaminated from farm run-offs and fecal deposition
The goal
Increase access to clean water via a new 3rd well and unify the water distribution network within the community (collaboration with University of Kentucky)
November 2019
Project application via EWB Volunteer Village database. Core team members were assembled via social media recruiting and through word of mouth
Project adoption and interview stage with EWB-Guatemala and EWB-USA
January 2020
March 2020
Information research and pre-assessment were done remotely due to COVID-19.
Assessment Phase
September 2020
January 2021
Post-assessment and alternative analysis
It was found that the new well can feed the needs of the entire community by itself. The team moved forward with disconnecting the contaminated spring source.
Design documentations and reports are produced and approved
July 2021
September 2020
Phase 1 Construction
C
The impacts of pandemic are felt causing delays to the project. Phase 2 electrical work commenced after great fundraising efforts from the team and an anonymous donor from Guatemala
Phase 2 Construction
May 2023
Phase 3 (pump site installations) + phase 4 (chlorinator and additional piping connections at tank site)
The system is completely connected and water delivery is tested
Community held a celebration with this major milestone.
Phase 3 and 4 Construction
January – March 2024
Celebrations at Community
Meet the Team
Project Lead: Noresh Varman
Anthony Vecchio: REIC
Guatemala Country Director: Jose Ordonez
EWB-USA Program Engineer: Luis Martinez
EWB-USA Project Engineer: Arturo Ujpan