The Community

The Patzajito community, located in the mountainous regions of Guatemala, is home to indigenous Mayan people who primarily speak Kaqchikel and Spanish. Access to clean water has been a long-standing challenge for the residents. Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Chicago, in partnership with local Rotary Clubs and the municipality, is working to develop a sustainable water distribution system that will serve 109 households across Patzajito.

the need

The municipality has already completed the construction of a well and water tank that will serve Patzajito and neighboring communities. The next step is to design and build a distribution system that will deliver clean water directly to households. Training for the local community on system maintenance, financial management, and hygienic water practices is also planned to ensure long-term sustainability.

Project Scope

Water System Development:

• Design and construction of distribution lines to serve 109 homes

• Training on operation and maintenance of the water system

• Financial management training for community leaders to ensure sustainability

• Hygiene and food safety education to promote health and well-being

Completion of the system design by summer 2024 and full implementation by 2025

Impact

The Patzajito Water Project aimed to deliver clean running water directly to homes, improving the health, well-being, and productivity of the community. By eliminating the time-consuming task of retrieving water from distant sources, residents can devote more energy to their daily lives and livelihoods. This project was designed to be locally owned, maintained, and financially sustainable to benefit future generations.

the results

In July 2025, we verified installation of the main transmission line (línea central) and the majority of the branch distribution network throughout the community. Break pressure tanks were installed along the main line to regulate system pressure, and the aerial crossing structure was completed to ensure continuous distribution across terrain challenges.
Fewer than 100 household taps remained at the time of our final visit, with full system completion projected for late August to early fall by local engineering partners. We collected GPS data to produce final as-built documentation and formally transitioned operations to the trained community water committee, including pump, storage tank, chlorination, and pressure system maintenance.