The Chicagoland Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders has expertise in nearly every engineering discipline. This allows us to choose projects that will have the most profound impact on a community’s particular needs. Projects include bridge design and construction, water access and sanitation, micro-enterprise, alternative energy, irrigation, schools, medical facilities, and site design.
Niono, Mali
EWB-Chicago, in partnership with EWB-Rock Mountain Professional group, is currently developing a plan mitigate the flooding, municipal waste and sewage issues in the town of Niono which contribute to the “Collecteur” problem. We hope to develop a plan to control the stormwater flooding and improve the sanitary situation in the town. Once the design is complete and a budget is defined, EWB hopes to partner with international organizations and corporations to help us implement this large-scale project.
El Estor, Guatemala
In 2005, a bridge constructed from barbed-wire was destroyed by a fallen tree. Since then the 1,000+ villagers who live in the surrounding area have been crossing the river balancing on a precarious log. This project includes working with the village of El Estor, Guatemala to design and construct a suspended cable bridge across the river so the villagers can reach health care, education and other vital needs.
Cuétzala de la Reforma
The lack of clean water is a serious problem for the Village of Cuetzala de la Reforma in Guerrero, Mexico. During the dry season, the community’s water supplies diminish and have to be rationed between all of the households. Furthermore, there is a potential for the water supplies to become contaminated leading to gastrointestinal diseases with diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. EWB-CPC is currently partnering with the community to design and build a water storage system to supply water during the dry season. In 2007, EWB-CPC worked with Cuetzala to design and build composting toilets, a rain catchment system and a handwashing system for the grade school. Together these systems should reduce the potential for disease transmission
