The Appropriate Technology Collaborative

Women Carry the Burden When Water is Scarce

ATC and Engineers Without Borders, Rutgers University, Work With the Local Comite de Agua to Redesign Water Supply

Background: Nueva Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan:

Approximately 6,000 residents of Mayan descent live in this isolated town, located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala.  The town was originally located 20km from where it is now, but residents had to be relocated after Hurricane Mitch destroyed almost three-fourths of what is now called Antigua Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan.

In the new village a water system has been in place for years, but only works sporadically—residents are lucky to receive 30 minutes of water per day and more often than not receive no water at all.  Women will interrupt whatever they are doing, including sleeping, to use the little water that becomes available. The existing faulty water supply is fed by three springs that have adequate flow year round, yet the local government has not been able to fix the problem and residents continue to live without sufficient water.

Addressing the Needs of the Community:

The Appropriate Technology Collaborative initially met with representatives from Nueva Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan in January 2008 to help develop an indigenous renewable energy program.  However, we could not help the community implement any sort of economic or social change without first addressing their need for a consistent water supply. Residents, especially women and children, spend much of their time searching for and transporting water, leaving little time and energy for economic development. In July 2008, ATC traveled back to NSCI to verify the existing conditions of the water supply and discuss possible solutions.

Setting a New Goal:

Witnessing the imminent needs of the community, ATC developed a new goal: to redesign and repair the existing water supply so that the community can then support the development of new businesses focused on renewable energy and technology.

Keeping the Local Community Involved:

ATC first partnered with Engineers Without Borders Rutgers to redesign the water supply.  ATC is providing in-country support to Engineers Without Borders and we have committed to staying involved in Nueva Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan for a minimum of five years. Our goal with the Ixtahuacan Water Project is to support the local residents so that they can operate and manage their new water system.

ATC – Engineers Without Borders, Rutgers and Ixtahuacan Water Committee