Kapawi, Ecuador – In a groundbreaking step toward improving access to clean water in the Amazon, Fundación Pachamama has successfully installed a water purification system at TUNA School, a bilingual institution that teaches Achuar and Spanish to children from the communities of Suwa, Wayusentsa, Sharamentza, Wachirpas, Shinmamus, Kusutkao, and Kapawi.
Completed between November 11–14 as part of Fundación Pachamama's Ecotourism and Human Footprint Program, this initiative represents a pivotal step toward improving sanitation and hygiene for the region's youth, directly benefiting 150 students from surrounding Achuar communities.
A Tailored Solution for Clean Water in the Amazon
In the Amazon rainforest, water is abundant, yet access to safe drinking water remains a significant challenge. Communities in the Kapawi region face persistent microbial contamination in their water sources, including E. coli and coliform bacteria, posing serious health risks. Despite government-funded investments in this area, these solutions are only temporarily suitable and are treated as a public service but with poor purification components and little regard for local conditions.
To address this, Pachamama Alliance implemented a pilot NUF filtration system, funded and imported with support from donor Nadine Liv. Unlike large-scale infrastructure, this compact, cost-effective solution targets the root issue—water quality. The system removes bacteria, viruses, and parasites without the need for electricity, making it ideal for remote regions.
Technical assessments in Kapawi, Suwa, and Kusutkao highlighted the urgent need for purification. In Suwa, rain catchments, ponds, and wells provide water, but without proper filtration, health risks persist. In Kusutkao, residents rely on time-intensive manual collection, with women and children making up to eight trips daily.
The new filtration system, installed with support from Kapawi Ecolodge and local authorities, marks a significant step forward. It ensures clean drinking water for the Achuar community while providing a scalable model for similar challenges across the Amazon.
Why NUF Filtration Technology?
After evaluating several options, the NUF filtration system was selected for its proven efficiency, durability, and adaptability to remote environments like Kapawi. Key features of the system include:
- Medical-Grade Filtration: Repurposed hemodialyzers with a pore size of 0.003 microns effectively remove bacteria, viruses, and parasites, ensuring water meets international drinking standards.
- Energy Independence: The system operates without electricity, making it ideal for off-grid locations.
- Proven Impact: Studies published in Nature Scientific Reports show that NUF filtration reduced diarrheal cases by 72% in rural Ghanaian communities.
- Cost-Effectiveness: At $3,364 per unit, including installation and maintenance, the system is significantly more affordable than large-scale distribution networks.
With minimal maintenance requirements—primarily simple backwashing—the system is designed for long-term use and community-led management.
Impact on the TUNA School and Surrounding Communities
The TUNA School in Kapawi was selected as the installation site to address this critical need, ensuring clean water access for its students. Serving as a central hub for education, the school accommodates approximately 150 children from across the Achuar territory. Many students from remote areas reside at the school during the week, returning home on weekends.
Visible contaminants in Kapawi's water supply make it unsafe for consumption, leading to widespread health issues such as gastrointestinal illnesses and skin conditions. Children are particularly vulnerable to these waterborne diseases, highlighting the urgent need for a reliable clean water source.
Beyond the immediate impact on the school, this system serves as a model for broader improvements in water quality across the region. By ensuring access to safe drinking water, the initiative promotes better hygiene and sanitation, with long-term benefits for the younger generation and the broader community.
Building a Sustainable Future
This project is part of Pachamama Alliance’s larger mission to promote sustainable solutions tailored to the needs of Indigenous communities. By implementing a localized and culturally aware approach, the organization not only addresses immediate challenges but also reinforces the Achuar people’s leadership in protecting their ancestral lands and promoting sustainable living.
Fundación Pachamama has partnered with various organizations to tackle critical challenges, fostering sustainable living while safeguarding the integrity of delicate ecosystems. As part of these efforts, the organization is enhancing waterway health by replacing polluting “peke-peke” canoe engines with clean, solar-electric outboards, promoting both environmental preservation and sustainable innovation.
The Ecotourism and Human Footprint Program underscores Pachamama Alliance’s commitment to integrating environmental preservation with community development. With Kapawi Ecolodge and Fundación Pachamama as partners and local authorities’ support, the project demonstrates the power of collaboration in creating meaningful, lasting impact.
For more information about the Ecotourism and Human Footprint Program, visit Fundación Pachamama’s website or support our work today by contributing to our year-end fundraiser.
