Technology Without Borders

Water for Qhosmi, Bolivia

About the Project

The community of Qhosmi is located near the village of San Pedro de Buena Vista in the Bolivian Andes. It is home to 18 families who live mainly from agriculture and livestock farming. Due to a lack of water supply, the families have had to draw their water from hygienically inadequate springs and rivers, which has led to health problems, especially for children. This project aims to improve the living conditions of the families in Qhosmi and reduce the disease and mortality rate. By building a gravity-fed water system, we want to ensure reliable access to clean water for human consumption. The future system should provide a sufficient quantity of water that meets physico-chemical and bacteriological quality standards. All 18 families should have access to water in their homes. The water system is expected to consist of a spring catchment, a feeder pipe, a storage tank, a water treatment plant, supply pipes and house connections with water meters. In addition, a local water committee will be established to manage the operation and maintenance of the water system at community level. An important aspect of the project is the involvement of the community. The residents of Qhosmi have pledged to provide their labor for the construction of the system, which should ensure the sustainability and maintenance of the system. The first trip to Bolivia for preliminary exploration is scheduled for January 2025. For the subsequent technical implementation, it is necessary to inspect and document the local conditions in advance. Possible water sources are to be examined for their suitability, water samples analyzed, and topographical data collected. Furthermore, the local population should be involved in the project planning. Through meetings and surveys, we want to find out the specific needs and wishes of the local people in order to ensure that our project goals meet these sufficiently, and that all those involved in the project pursue common goals sustainably. Our local partner is the organization World Vision Bolivia, which has already successfully completed many similar projects in the region. Together, we can sustainably improve living conditions in Qhosmi and give the residents a healthier and safer future.