Project: Comunidad Maya, Guatemala

 

 

 

Overall Project Goal:

The current project in Guatemala aims to resuscitate a water distribution system in la Comunidad Maya. Currently residents in this community must wake up early in the morning to fill buckets with water for the upcoming day, because with increased usage during the day the system does not maintain enough pressure to keep water flowing to the houses in the community. This is likely due to leaks within the system, and perhaps to a growing population. The first goal of the project is to isolate the key reasons for loss of pressure. If it is due to water leaks, then the project goal is to teach the community how and with which materials to repair pipe leaks. If the system is too small for the growing population, then the goal of the project is to increase the water supply to the system. Both scenarios will be analyzed using EPA Net water modeling computer software.

 

Current Project Status:

An assessment trip last January yielded preliminary data and community situational information. The project is currently in preparation for its second assessment trip, in which comparisons will be made between computer simulations of the community's water system and measurements of the system itself. Points/regions of pressure loss will be isolated, requisite data obtained, and upon returning from Guatemala, the most viable solution will be determined. During the winter of 2015/2016, an implementation trip will then take place to help the community to fix the problem.

 

How to Help:

Come to our meetings! The Guatemala Program meets every Monday at 5:00 in EN 3070, where we discuss our current progress and plan the activities for the week to come. To keep up-to-date with the Guatemala Program happenings, simply email Matthew Love at mlove3@uwyo.edu and ask to be added to the Guatemala mailing list.