Journey of An Aquanaut….

Sweta Jhunjhunwala

Dec 6th 2013

Unchartered Waters: Research & Exploration of Global Water Issues

Summer Internship

• Summer 2012

• Study of water rates in the US

DWSD Jharkhand

• Fall 2012 – Spring 2013 - Ongoing

• Multi-purpose R&D pilot projects

AGAIG Guatemala

• Fall 2012 - Ongoing

• IWRMS – Feasibility & Design

My JourneyPersonal Goal : Clean water for everyone

Summer Internship – Study of Water Rates in the US

Drinking Water & Sanitation Division, Jharkhand, IndiaMulti purpose R&D pilot projects

Project Themes:

• Rainwater harvesting to recharge

aquifers

• Leveraging solar energy for

water supply

• Cost effective piped water supply

to rural households

• Leveraging water from mines for

drinking water supply

Region Characteristics:

• Rich in natural resources – coal

mines, stone quarries

• Undulating terrain

• Rainfall pattern – Abundance

followed by scarcity

• Ground water contamination –

arsenic, fluoride and iron

Challenges: Data – access, availability

Political – instability, corruption

Cultural – customs, caste

As Green As It Gets, GuatemalaIWRMS - Design and Feasibility for a coffee cooperative

Objective: Research and needs analysis of the domestic and agricultural needs of a

coffee farming community in Guatemala including feasible solutions.

Findings:

• Rainfall pattern – abundance

followed by scarcity

• Farms on volcano slopes – rich

fertile soil but high runoff

• Surface water contaminated, risk

of ground water contamination

• Lack of water sources near the

farms – no irrigation

Solutions:

• Build a cistern near the farms to be

shared by multiple farms

• Long term – Govt. to build

infrastructure for irrigation

Fundraising Alert: Coffee Rust “Roya” is affecting more than 70% farmers in Guatemala.

My Conclusions:

• Water is a renewable resource

• Water challenges are typically related to water quality and access

• Human activities are contaminating the clean water sources

• There is a need for water storage solutions that leverage the

traditional practices of rainwater harvesting

• It’s never too late to realize that you are an aquanaut….

Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all– Nelson Mandela

As Green As It Gets (AGAIG)Supporting small independent producers and promoting environmentally sustainable agriculture in Guatemala

• Supporting a collective of small

coffee farmers by micro-financing,

education and technology

• Promoting small-scale businesses:

local artisans, cosmetics for a

cause, green packaging, etc.

• Encouraging reforestation projects

• Developing appropriate

technologies: inexpensive, small-

scale, culturally sensitive

innovative solutions

• Community development

• Sustainable farming methods and

coffee processing

Get Involved!1. Group Tours and Workshops2. Donate or Volunteer3. Purchase coffee directly from

farmers4. Finance a small business loan

For more info: www.asgreenasitgets.org