The project in the community of Santa Estefanía de Maltapura started at Tufts University in January 2025. This community has around 140 people making up 40 families. They live near the Napo River in the Amazon region. Agriculture is the community’s main economic activity, and the main crops are cocoa and corn. Within the community, there is a school and about 25 homes with latrines in some houses, but they do not have a health center. The main language spoken in the community is Spanish and Quichua.
The community currently collects water from a nearby river about a mile away from the community along with rainwater catchment systems on individual houses. The water system for the river is 10 years old and uses a 2” exposed black hose to deliver the water from the river to the community. Due to its age, the system has many leaks, leading to a lack of water. The water from the river does not have any disinfection system in place and is boiled before drinking.
The Tufts University Ecuador EWB chapter is working to create a new plan for the water system that will supply the community with access to clean water. Working in collaboration with the Santa Estefanía de Maltapura community, EWB Ecuador Country Office, and our NGO partner Hombro a Hombro, the group is planning to travel to the community in August 2025.
