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
Health Issues in Cuetzala
During its first trip to Cuetzala in November 2006, EWB-CPC discussed health issues with the parents and nurse in Cuetzala. Residents in Cuetzala periodically have symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases with vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Most cases occur during the rainy season with more at the beginning and end of the season. Children have about four episodes per year, some with fever. Some of the cases have been diagnosed as amoebic dysentery but most have no definitive diagnosis. These are likely caused by waterborne pathogens. EWB-CPC believes that the instances of gastrointestinal diseases can be reduced with better sanitation and cleaner water supplies.
Investigating Solutions to the Water Scarcity Issues
Since November 2007, the EWB-CPC Team has been evaluating long-term options to increase water supplies in Cuetzala. Cuetzala has one spring (La Pila) that flows throughout the year and several others that flow only during the wet season (May – September). Additional water supplies have to be delivered by truck and therefore are expensive. The analysis included learning about the local geology and hydrology and determining the feasibility of drilling wells, building a water storage system and/or installing a pump to provide better access to existing water supplies.
Construction of New Composting Latrines and Rain Catchment System
In July 2007, EWB-CPC constructed new dry composting latrines at the primary school. EWB-CPC installed a system to collect rainwater from the roof of the primary school to be used for handwashing. Together these projects should reduce the potential for disease transmission. EWB-CPC also prepared and taught different lesson plans to educate the children about sanitation, water conservation and the latrine, rain catchment and handwashing systems.
Project Milestones
- Nov 2006: EWB-CPC conducted a preliminary assessment and baseline health survey. EWB-CPC discussed water scarcity and sanitation issues with Cuetzala leaders.
- July 2007: With the resident of Cuetzala, EWB-CPC constructed new dry composting latrines and a rain catchment system at the primary school. EWB-CPC completed testing of Cuetzala’s water supplies.
- April 2008: EWB-CPC returned to Cuetzala for an assessment trip. The team determined recharge rate for La Pila and identified potential locations for a water tank, reservoir and/or well.
About Cuetzala
Cuetzala has approximately 200 residents most of whom rely on farming for their livelihoods. It is estimated that there 50 children in the village. The villagers are of the Nahwatl Culture. Cuetzala lies at the end of a road over several mountains about two hours from the nearest city of Iguala. The village has electricity and telephones, but there is no running water or sanitary sewer system.
At 5,200 feet in elevation, Cuetzala is situated near the top of a mountain. A steep erosion valley roughly divides the town and channels storm water runoff to the south. Cuetzala lies within the Morelos Formation (gray massive limestone and dolomite, potentially karstic, with inclusions of volcanic zones and layers).
