In July of 2024, a team of public works professionals from the APWA Chicago Chapter International Committee traveled from the U.S. to a very small, isolated, rural community in the highlands of Ecuador. The community of El Obraje has about 200 people and there are no school or health facilities within an hour walking distance. The community is primarily supported by subsistence farming, where the people eat what they grow and there is limited outside income.

About 40 years ago, a water distribution system was built utilizing a spring that is located over a mile away. Recent earthquakes and landslides have diverted that underground flow and also damaged the piping system that brings the water from the spring to the community. Right now, the existing water system can only supply about 115 people at the rate of about 20 gallons a day. For reference, the average American uses over 100 gallons a day. The community has to ration water so that everyone has enough to drink. In addition to the lack of water, the existing water tank is lower in elevation than 15 of the 55 homes.

A new spring was discovered adjacent to the creek at the base of the community. This new spring will be able to supply water for over 400 people at the rate of 20 gallons per day. However, the new spring is over 800 feet in elevation lower than the highest homes in the community. A pump system with interim tanks, needs to be designed and built in order for all the homes to have positive water pressure. A containment system needs to be installed for the spring, since it's adjacent to a seasonally flooding creek. Seven homes need piping installed for water distribution.

This is a big project, and there are no local funding sources. All travel and transportation is self-funded, donations will not be used to cover transportation costs for the International Committee.

The APWA Chicago Chapter International Committee is seeking funding via donations and grant sources to help this worthy cause. Please consider donating to provide clean water to the hard-working people of El Obraje.

This project is being completed with support and teaming from the organizations of Engineers In Action & Fundación Ingenieros en Acción Ecuador (FIEA Ecuador).

Thank you so much for your support!

If you'd like to pay by check, please send it payable to:

Engineers in Action

c/o Guy Engineering

6910 E. 14th St.

Tulsa, OK 74112

And please put a note or memo that this is for the APWA El Obraje Water Project.

Thank you so much!