PROJECT ''Water Lab''
In response to the critical need for clean drinking water in remote Nicaraguan communities, I led the development of the Water Lab project aimed at improving living conditions by ensuring the human right to quality water. Originally, this project began with the intention of conducting water governance workshops in the communities of Matagalpa, Granada, and Jinotega.
Throughout our intervention, particularly during a visit to the Santa Teresa community in Esquipulas, Matagalpa, we identified severe water contamination issues. This was evidenced by women collecting water from a natural source near active latrines. This discovery triggered the urgent need for more formal and structured water analysis.
With support from the organization I was working with, I designed and established a laboratory specializing in microbiological analysis, initially focusing on fecal coliforms due to the urgency of the issue. In 2022, the laboratory was equipped with cutting-edge technology including an autoclave, incubator, scales, and culture media, enabling comprehensive and reliable bacteriological analysis.
Our testing revealed a high concentration of fecal coliforms in the water of Santa Teresa, leading to direct intervention with community leaders and local authorities. The report I prepared was instrumental for the actions taken by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health, which implemented water chlorination measures directly benefiting over 300 people in the community.
Given that 43% of Nicaragua's population lives in rural areas and only 1% have access to sewer systems, the impact of this laboratory has been profoundly significant. Additionally, we extended our research to Lake Cocibolca, addressing water pollution on the inhabited islets in the region.
After leading this laboratory for two years, the project continues to operate under the management of the Planting Change Foundation. For more information about the analyses and reports generated through this project, please do not hesitate to contact us.