About the project
The Guatemala project aims to create an automated UV water sterilization system for an elementary school in Guatemala, where traditional filters degrade quickly due to high chlorine levels in the local water supply. UV treatment offers a durable and low-maintenance alternative that provides consistent access to clean water. The system combines a plumbing setup with water reservoirs, a UV chamber, and a dispensing faucet, along with an electronic control unit that uses sensors and microcontrollers to automate operation and maintenance. Development is underway, with current work focused on electrical design, control software, and testing. The system is expected to be installed within the next year to provide a sustainable and reliable source of safe drinking water for the community.
the location: CHIQUIMULA, GUATEMALA
MWB is working with an elementary school in Chiquimula, a city in eastern Guatemala. Like many rural communities, Chiquimula faces inconsistent access to clean water due to infrastructure challenges and variable quality. Municipal systems are often shocked with high chlorine levels, which damage filters and reduce sustainability. This project’s partner community seeks a reliable, low-maintenance solution to provide safe drinking water for local students and families.
Goals
- Provide a source of clean drinking water for a Guatemalan elementary school.
- Design an automated UV sterilization system that minimizes maintenance and user intervention.
Skills Gained / Broader Takeaways
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Embedded System Design: Programming microcontrollers, integrating sensors, and developing automated control logic.
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Water System Design: Designing and testing plumbing systems for safe, efficient, and sustainable water delivery.
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Systems Integration: Combining electrical, mechanical, and software components into a cohesive, reliable system.
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And more: Collaboration, documentation, project management, and cross-cultural communication.
GUATEMALA PROJECT LEADS
KIERA CRAWFORD
Kiera is a junior studying Electrical Engineering at Colorado School of Mines. She is a project co-lead on the Guatemala project team. One of her favorite MWB memories was during E-Days in freshman year when she baked with her team to prepare bake sale items for the carnival!
kiera_crawford@mines.edu
LUKE BELL
Luke is a junior studying Computer Science at Colorado School of Mines. He is a project co-lead on the Guatemala project team! He loves travelling and sushi, to to a frightening degree.
lukebell@mines.edu