Guatemala 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 & approval via EWB Volunteer Village database. Core team members were assembled via social media recruiting and through word of mouth.

September 2020: Assessment Phase

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.

September 2020: Phase 1 Construction

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.