Summary
From 2019-2024 the Guatemala Water & Sanitation team (GWS) successfully implemented 75 water collection systems in the Caserio Panhux community for local family homes and one school. After completing our partnership with the Caserio Panhux community, GWS adopted a new sanitation project in the Las Victorias community. This project will focus on the construction of a four-stalled latrine building at the local school that will serve 92 students and school staff. The latrine building will include lighting and ventilation as well as necessities for feminine hygiene as requested by the community. A handwashing station will also be constructed on school property with multiple taps at heights suitable for both teachers and students. This project will replace existing pit latrines, improve sanitation and hygiene practices that impact student health, and create a more sustainable, dignified solution to the waste removal process.
1st Assessment Trip Summary (Spring 2017)
Duration: 8 Days | Team: 7 Students & 1 REIC (Jonathan Miller)
The team conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the local school infrastructure and access roads. Primary assessments included testing spring water quality for E. coli contamination. Based on the findings, the project scope was narrowed to prioritize reliable access to clean water for the community.
1st Implementation Trip Summary (August 2018)
Duration: 10 Days | Team: 9 Students & 1 REIC (Bruce Binney)
The team successfully installed 14 residential water systems within four days. Despite initial delays caused by international wire transfer issues, the project met its primary objectives. Post-implementation analysis revealed that the “first flush” diverter caps required design modifications to ensure a secure connection, prompting a revision of the system’s technical specifications for future phases.
2nd Implementation Trip Summary (December 2018)
Duration: 13 Days | Team: Led by Project Mentor Carter Rucker
The team implemented 20 residential systems over seven days. Key technical improvements included sourcing sturdier faucets and redesigning the first flush valves to prevent tank leakage. A significant emphasis was placed on community empowerment, with students transitioning into advisory roles while local residents led the construction. To mitigate financial risks encountered during the trip, the team updated its protocols to prioritize pre-paid accommodations and secure fund management through local NGO partners.
3rd Implementation Trip Summary (August 2019)
Duration: 10 Days | Team: 8 Students & 1 REIC (Bruce Binney)
The team installed 16 residential systems, including specialized “Casetas” (standalone structures) for homes with plant-based roofing. Technical upgrades featured overlapping rectangular gutters to eliminate leak-prone PVC joints and reinforced lateral bracing for first flush systems. A concurrent monitoring survey of earlier installations identified gutter and faucet durability issues, which have been integrated into the project’s long-term maintenance and repair strategy.
Remote Implementation Trip Summary (2020 & 2022)
Scope: 10 Residential Systems & 2 School Tank Systems
In response to travel restrictions, the team successfully executed a remote implementation model in collaboration with CeCEP and local lead Abelino. This phase included expanding the school’s water capacity with a three-tank series and a dedicated kitchen connection. The team maintained rigorous quality control through tri-weekly coordination calls and digital photo documentation. The success of this remote phase demonstrated the strength of the community partnership and paved the way for future system repairs and expansion.
1st Monitoring Trip Summary (December 2022)
Purpose: The team returned to Caserio Panhux to conduct a comprehensive performance audit of the existing rainwater harvesting systems.
Findings: Rigorous water quality testing indicated that several systems did not meet established standards for potable consumption and domestic use. These results necessitated further technical investigation into filtration efficacy and potential system-wide modifications.
Activities: Students surveyed the community to evaluate long-term durability, specifically addressing previously reported issues regarding gutter leakages and tank valve failures. This data was used to refine the maintenance protocols provided to the residents.
Final Monitoring Trip Summary (March 2024)
Context: Originally scheduled for December 2023, this mission was deferred to Spring 2024 due to regional political instability.
Purpose: This trip represented the final phase of the Caserio Panhux partnership, prioritizing infrastructure sustainability and the formal handover of assets.
Outcomes: The team facilitated advanced water tank maintenance training, implemented a high-efficiency roofing system at the local school, and conducted preliminary scouting for future sanitation initiatives in neighboring areas.
Closure: EWB-NCSU successfully transferred full project ownership and management to the Caserio Panhux community leadership, marking the official conclusion of this five-year partnership.
Assessment Phase (2024)
On March 8, 2024, our team headed to Las Victorias for a crucial assessment trip. The goal was simple but vital: make sure our plans actually matched the community’s reality.
What we accomplished:
- Building Partnerships: We sat down with school leaders and the COCODE (Community Development Council) to listen to their needs and start sketching out what this project could look like together.
- Checking the Tech: We got our hands dirty measuring the current structures and documenting exactly where the existing sanitation facilities were falling short.
- Testing the Foundation: Our team took detailed field notes on the land’s stability to ensure any new construction would be safe and long-lasting.
After returning from the field, the NCSU chapter shifted focus toward turning our field notes into a concrete plan. Our work centered on balancing technical requirements with the community’s long-term goals:
- Evaluated Technical Solutions: We weighed the pros and cons of several systems—including pour-to-flush toilets and biodigesters—to identify the most sustainable fit for the school’s specific environment.
- Developed the Blueprints: The team worked through a rigorous design phase to finalize the engineering plans. These designs were prepared for formal approval, setting the stage for our scheduled implementation trip in December 2025.
- Mobilized Fundraising: To power the implementation phase, we launched a series of community-driven fundraisers. We hosted pop-up thrift sales and bake sales, and held our Annual Benefit Dinner to secure the necessary capital for construction.
Implementation Phase (2026)
In May 2026, our team will return to Las Victorias to finalize the transition from outdated, overused facilities to a modern, sustainable sanitation system. This upcoming trip is the culmination of months of technical planning and coordination with our local partners.
What we plan to accomplish:
- Infrastructure Overhaul: We will decommission the two existing pit latrines that currently serve over 100 students and staff. In their place, we are set to construct a new four-stall sanitation building and two dedicated handwashing stations.
- System Installation: Working alongside community members and our NGO partners, we will install a high-efficiency biodigester system. This will provide a much cleaner and more sustainable way to manage waste than traditional methods..
- Empowering the Community: Because engineering is only half the battle, we will conduct hands-on training sessions with local leaders. The goal is to establish a long-term maintenance plan that ensures the system remains functional for years to come.
- Feedback & Evaluation: We’ll wrap up the trip by meeting with the community to gather feedback, ensuring the new infrastructure meets their expectations and truly serves the students’ needs.
The success of this trip is made possible by the rigorous planning and community support that has taken place in the months leading up to our departure in May:
- Refining the Design: Based on feedback from the community, we adjusted our original plans to include key additions like urinals and a full roof covering for better durability and comfort.
- Technical Selection: After a detailed “Alternative Analysis” comparing aerobic units and septic tanks, we selected the biodigester as the most environmentally friendly and maintainable solution for the region.
- Strong Local Ties: We maintained constant communication with our NGO partner, CeCEP, and Director Sucely Ical, ensuring the community was ready and involved long before we arrive on-site.
- Successful Fundraising: Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors—including the CCEE advisory board, our dedicated members, and everyone who supported our bake sales and thrift events—we met our budget goals to make this project a reality.
Your support directly funds the engineering materials and local labor needed to bring clean water and dignified sanitation to Las Victorias. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us build a healthier, more sustainable future for these students. If you would like to donate to our cause, please feel free to donate using the link below!!!
Photos From All GWS Projects
