International

Bolivia

The community in Barrio San Cristobal, Bolivia has struggled with access to reliable drinking water, namely during the dry season when sources such as rainwater become inadequate.

Prior to the construction of the new well most of the 300-person community was dependent on an old deep well or buying water from private providers in trucks or rainwater catchments, which, again, become scarce during the dry season. Families are then forced to ration supplies due to this unreliable access, highlighting the severity of the issue in the community.

The need for improved access to water was identified in town assemblies, in which many households in the community voiced relevant concerns. Since the majority of the community is represented in these meetings, it can then be concluded that resolving the water crisis is one of the community’s main priorities. The president of the community as well as the rest of the residents have been searching for external sources of assistance, showing their determination to find a viable solution to this water crisis. 

The overall objective of the project is to build a system that would increase safe, sustainable, and accessible water access for the people of Barrio San Cristobal. These objectives will be met through several measures, the main one being an assessment trip the team will take in Spring 2025. This trip will help answer questions about project viability, scope, community needs, current infrastructure, and construction. Based on the outcome of the trip, the team will determine how to best meet the project objectives.

Tanzania

Since the conception of our project in 2018, our team had been working to design and implement a solar powered irrigation system in Sunuka, Tanzania. Sunuka was unable to increase their agricultural output due to the limitations of the dry season. However our team's design allowed for increased water access and consequently increase crop yield.

Since February 2018, we have traveled on two assessment trips to establish our relationship with the Sunuka community and retrieve the necessary irrigation data. Keeping in mind social, structural and economic feasibility, our team evaluated potential water sources and irrigation distribution techniques, and worked to finalize system plans.

In 2024, we completed this project, consisting of locating and coordinating with a contractor to finish the tap stands along the irrigation piping.

Meet the Team

  • Celeste Chhibber

    President

    Independent Major - Class of 2026

  • Luca Katzen

    International Co-Lead

    Environmental Engineering - Class of 2026

  • Sarah Garcia Moreno

    International Co-Lead

    Biomedical Engineering - Class of 2027

  • Neil Shah

    Chemical Engineering - Class of 2026

  • Evelyn Sangree

    Environmental Engineering - Class of 2028

  • Jason Ramos

    Mechanical Engineering - Class of 2028

  • Sai Nellutla

    Vice President

    Computer Science - Class of 2027

  • Maoz Bizan

    Environmental Engineering - Class of 2026

  • Ally Karanikas

    Environmental Engineering - Class of 2027