Engineers Without Borders

Now that members of the Colorado Springs EWB Chapter have returned from our assessment trip in Suncallo, Bolivia, we clearly understand why their current drinking water supply is unreliable. And fortunately we believe we can design a clean water delivery system that is going to be relatively easy to implement and maintain. We’re actively working on those design issues right now.

However, before we can implement the system and relieve the suffering, we need to raise some more money:
• We have received strong support from the Rotary Club in La Paz and are trying to partner with a Rotary Club in Colorado Springs.
• We have received corporate grants from CH2MHill, Conoco, and ITT.
• We have received a number of individual donations.
• We have received a grant from the Goldman Foundation and are applying for additional grants through our parent organization.
• We are applying for a USAID grant that is specifically for development work in Bolivia.
• We are planning several fundraising events including an Engineers Oktoberfest with support from the local micro-breweries.

Even though the organization is called Engineers Without Borders, our real need at the moment is for a person or two with expertise in PR and fundraising!!! If you have these skills and an interest in helping a very deserving Aymara community (their culture pre-dates the Incas!) please contact us or come to a meeting.

Our chapter traveled to Suncallo, Bolivia on April 10, 2010 to conduct a Phase 2 assessment of the communities’ needs and gather enough information to begin the design. The team consisted of Lisa Barbato, John Marcotte and Pete Eisele. The group was assisted by a local engineering consultant, Engineers In Action (EIA) who met us in La Paz and escorted us to the village the next day.

After a four hour drive we were received by the community with a great welcoming party. Their appreciation of our arrival was evident, as was their hope that we would meet their expectations. The friendliness of everyone was prevalent throughout the week, and those assigned to work with us were very helpful. The community has an existing water supply from two springs, but as we discovered, some residents do not have water taps and for many others, their taps run dry during the dry season.

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Click here to read the Phase 1 Suncallo Assessment Report, June 2009
Click here to read the Phase 2 Suncallo Assessment Report, April 2010

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Some of the things the group accomplished during the visit were:
• Completing a survey of a future pipeline from Spring #3 to Spring #2
• Measuring flows at Springs #3 
• Improving the intake structure of Spring #2
• Determining the suitability and location for a water tank
• Obtaining data for the replacement of a leaking pipe crossing a ravine
• Completing a residential survey which included condition of individual water supplies, basic living needs and health issues
• Understanding the construction access issues which will impact design

At the completion of our work we executed a mutually acceptable written agreement which commits each party to conditions necessary for a successful project. We hope to begin the first of several new facilities later this year.

The team has completed a follow-up site visit to Suncallo and will provide a trip report at the Project Meeting on Thursday, May 6th. The meeting will begin at 5:00 pm and will be held at the Rockrimmon Library.

The date and location for the May Chapter Meeting has been changed. The meeting will be combined with the project meeting scheduled for this week on Thursday, May 6 at 5 PM. The location is the meeting room in the Rockrimmon Branch of the Pikes Peak Library, in the shopping center at Rockrimmon Blvd and Vindicator Dr. We will be reviewing the results of the recent assessment trip to Bolivia and planning our next steps. Come find out what we’re doing and help us move forward!

Pete Eisele
President, Colorado Springs Prof. Chapter
719-599-3316