Rice University Engineers Without Borders

Project Location:

Town of Piedritas, Coahuila, Mexico

Project Highlights:

May 2004 - Implemented a new solar pump that increased water availability by 3 times
May 2004 - Constructed a PVC distribution system that provides water to every home in the community
March 2006 - Constructed pilot biosand filter in community school.
October 2006 - Tested biosand filter efficiency. 100% removal of E-coli & coliform.
March 2007 - Conducted sanitation education for both adults and children of community. Addressed water contamination issues by constructing several biosand filters with the community.

Project Summary:

Beginning in November 2003, four students from the Rice University chapter of Engineers Without Borders began a relationship with the small community of Piedritas. Over the next three years the project evolved into a mission to make clean water available for every member of the community.

With the ultimate goal of clean and readily accessible water, the project was split into three phases. The team first tackled the existing infrastructure. In May 2004 the team installed a new solar pump that was more reliable and increased the water flow rate out of the well by three times. In addition, the team installed a PVC piping system that gave each house in the community a personal water line.

Next, the team addressed the issue of water purification. Biosand filters were selected because of their sustainable design that uses local materials and effectively removes contaminants. Furthermore, their maintenance does not require the purchase of additional materials. In March 2005 the team constructed a pilot filter in the community school. The team returned to Piedritas in October 2006 to assess its effectiveness and found that it was extremely successful, with a 100% removal of fecal coliform and E-coli.

In an effort to address the water contamination issues, the team returned to Piedritas in March 2007 to construct biosand filters and to conduct extensive sanitation education. The team successfully constructed three biosand filters with the help of the community. In December 2007/January 2008, the team constructed several additional filters. Community participation, along with a presentation of documents describing filter construction, use, and maintenance ensured that the project would be self-sustained long-term. Adult and children sanitation education was performed to ensure that the community understood the importance of clean water and that water purified by the filters would remain uncontaminated.

With the implementation phase of the project complete, Piedritas has the tools necessary to provide itself with clean water.

Project Leader: Sean McCudden