COMMUNITY NEED

In the Sololá community, a significant portion of the population faces the challenge of inadequate and inconsistent access to clean drinking water on a daily basis. Recognizing this pressing need, the community has sought engineering support from EWB-USA. Presently, approximately 350 out of 750 community members have been connected to a potable water distribution system sourced from nearby springs.

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However, the system encounters a critical issue during the dry season, which spans six months of the year. During this period, the springs dry up, resulting in a severe water shortage for the community. As a consequence, community members are compelled to purchase water delivered by trucks, which often raises concerns about water quality. Unfortunately, many individuals within the community cannot afford this purchased water, leading to water scarcity and the need to ration the limited available water resources.

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LOCATION

Located approximately 3 hours west of the capital, Guatemala City, the community of Sololá in Guatemala is situated in a region blessed with natural beauty. Sololá shares its border with the northern end of the magnificent Lake Atitlan. Within this vibrant community, you will find the towns of Xoquic and San Bartolo nestled amidst the picturesque surroundings of Sololá, Guatemala.

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PROJECT SOLUTION

The EWB-Florida Professional Chapter, in collaboration with the communities of Xoquic and San Bartolo, has formulated a comprehensive 5-year plan to address their critical water crisis. With a strong commitment to sustainable solutions, our partnership aims to design and construct a dependable clean water supply and distribution system. A key aspect of this endeavor is empowering and educating the communities, enabling them to take ownership of their expanded water distribution system.

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Phase 1 of the project has already been successfully executed, involving the drilling of an 8-inch water supply well. The results have been encouraging, with an ample quantity of water and good quality obtained from the well. As we proceed to Phase 2, our primary focus will be connecting the new well to the existing water system while expanding its reach to approximately 50 additional households.

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In April of 2023, we will embark on the implementation of Phase 2, which entails several crucial activities. These include mapping out the route for the expanded distribution system pipeline, identifying optimal locations for isolation valves and air release valves, facilitating workshops with the community to establish a work schedule and share best practices for pipe installation. Additionally, we will collaborate with the well driller to install the well pump and wellhead infrastructure, assess the condition of the existing water storage tank, and determine the placement of a new smaller tank.

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Through these concerted efforts, we aim to make substantial progress in resolving the water crisis, ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply for the communities of Xoquic and San Bartolo.

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GET INVOLVED

We are actively seeking individuals with expertise in AutoCAD, electrical engineering, and passionate individuals interested in supporting our fundraising initiatives to join our dedicated team working on the Guatemala project. If you possess the relevant skills and would like to contribute, please express your interest by contacting us at ewb.fl.professionals@gmail.com. We welcome your involvement in this meaningful endeavor.