Global Water- Addressing Water Shortages In Guatemala

In recent years, Global Water has funded multiplepressure tanks, a 10 cubic meter (2,600 gallons)
projects each year in Guatemala.storage / distribution tank located just above the
These completed projects include the following –village and a main gravity-flow transport line
Healthy Schools Programmeasuring four kilometers (2.5 miles). An additional
This is a wonderful program in Guatemala run by thepiping system distributed water from the storage
Appropriate Technology Program in thetank to household faucets installed at each individual
Peace Corps. During a Healthy Schools project, anhome site.
“Appropriate Technology” Peace CorpsThe Caton Vi’qola Project was a gravity-flow
volunteer works with a group of schools to helpwater supply and distribution system for the rural
them build health-related facilities. These facilitiesvillage of Caton Vi’qola, in the Department of El
include: water systems, latrines, kitchen facilities, andQuiche, Guatemala and located about nine kilometers
hand-washing stations (called lavamanos).(5.5 miles) northeast of the city of Nebaj in the
Once the necessary health-related facilities areCuchumantane Mountains of the Guatemalan Central
installed and being used, the schools becomeeligible toHighlands.
be recognized as a “healthy school” by theThere are 22 families living in the village with a total
Guatemalan government agency thatbuilds andpopulation of about 110 people. The system included
maintains schools. (hence, the Program’s name).a spring capture box, break pressure tanks, a 5 cubic
The final activity that must be accomplished by themeter (1,300 gallons) storage / distribution tank
school is implementing an educational program tolocated just above the village and a main gravity-flow
teach students how and why to use hygiene-relatedtransport line measuring 1.6 kilometers (1 mile). An
facilities.additional piping system distributed water from the
As you can probably imagine, it’s quite anstorage tank to household faucets installed at each
accomplishment for a school to be recognized by theindividual home site.
Guatemalan Education Agency and so having aThe San Francisco Javier Project was a gravity-flow
“healthy school” in a village is a significantwater supply and distribution system for the rural
point of pride for the village, as well as the studentsvillage of San Francisco Javier, located in the
and teachers of the school.Department of El Quiche, Guatemala. The village is
Global Water funds a variety of projects within thelocated 30 kilometers northwest of Nebaj, in the
Healthy Schools Program each year throughoutCuchumantane Mountains of the Guatemalan Central
Guatemala in partnership with the Peace Corps andHighlands.
local NGOs. Progress Reports from this program canThere are 60 families living in the village with a total
be found under Progress Reports on the Globalpopulation of about 300 people. The system included
Water website.a spring capture box, break pressure tanks, two 5
The Panimachavac Project was a gravity-flow watercubic meter (each 1,300 gallonsl) storage / distribution
supply and distribution system for the rural village oftank located just above the village and a main
Panimachavac, located in the Department ofgravity-flow transport line measuring four kilometers
Chimaltenago, Guatemala. There are 43 families living(2.5 miles). An additional piping system distributed
in the village with a total population of about 190water from the storage tank to household faucets
people.installed at each individual home site.
The system included a spring capture box, break