Targeting Drinking Water in Border Colonias: Expanded Solar Still Development for Ciudad Juarez, and Palomas, Mexico and Columbus, New Mexico

AMOUNT: $10,000 US

PROJECT LEADERS: Sharon Eby-Martin, Sister Donna Kustusch

INSTITUTIONS: New Mexico State University and Centro Santa Catalina

This binational collaborative project expanded and implemented solar water purification activities along the border communities of Colonia Panfilo Natera of Ciudad Juarez as well as the Palomas/Columbus on the New Mexico – Chihuahua border. They provided potable water stills to 14 family residences in the border communities using solar distillation technology to meet the potable water needs of the border area. The El Paso Solar Energy Association (EPSEA) managed the overall project while working closely with the Centro Santa Catalina in Ciudad Juarez and the Southwest Technology Development Institute (STDI) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) built on previous project efforts and leveraged a large (80 still project) that EPSEA implemented with EPA in Texas and New Mexico communities. NMSU assisted EPSEA in evaluating user acceptance of the still projects. This project presented a real, local, decentralized, and immediate solution to the scarce water needs and water pollution problems for border community residents.