Engineering Safe, Sustainable Water Systems in Developing Areas

For water projects by NGOs in Latin America and Africa, the emphasis is on finding sources of water, water hygiene training and making water available to the people in the rural villages by means of a well. The primary accomplishment has been to provide sufficient water for human survival. A broader systems engineering approach is necessary to raise the village beyond a level of water poverty. Some NGOs are now investing in better drilling equipment to construct deeper, more productive wells providing better sources of water. This work is important because it improves the source issue; however, it does not resolve the problems rising from a lack of safe storage, disinfection, availability or equitable access for use.
            Since 2003, researchers for the Center for Water Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio have worked with several NGOs and the University of Honduras to find reliable sources of groundwater in two rural areas of Mexico and Honduras. Four of the completed wells have provided sufficient yield to encourage construction of very basic water supply systems including a submersible pump, power source, transmission line, reservoir and distribution to each home in the village. The price for a complete system has been less than $50,000. Because the water is accessible, the water gathers are now free to devote time to other endeavors and some have started cottage industries to augment their income.
            Under a grant this last year, UTSA conducted several detailed water source and geographic studies in Southwest Mexico to determine the most efficient design for specific conditions. This has resulted in three preliminary designs for complete systems. We now intend to expand this work in Honduras and Mexico and create a model that can be tailored for specific needs.