Engineers Without Borders at Colorado State University

Engineers Without Borders at Colorado State University (EWB-CSU) partners with disadvantaged communities in Latin America to improve their quality of life through the implementation of environmentally and economically sustainable engineering projects. Through these projects, we give students of all backgrounds, from engineering to anthropology, the opportunity gain hands on experience in international development.

We are a chapter of Engineers Without Border-USA, a non-governmental organization established in 2000 which helps students and professionals with the design and construction of water, wastewater, sanitation, energy, and shelter systems. We strive to include the community in all phases of the project to ensure ownership, appropriateness and long-term effectiveness while building self-sustainability.

At present there are more than 6 billion people on Earth; in 25 years there will be 8 billion, and 97% of the growth will be in developing countries.

1.1 billion people live without safe drinking water
2.6 billion people do not have adequate sanitation
3.4 million people die annually from water-related diseases
At any one time, 1.5 billion people – one in four – suffer from parasitic worm infections stemming from contaminated water and solid wastes

The scale of this problem requires a new way of thinking and a long term approach. As important as international aid programs are, many community problems cannot be solved by short term international aid programs. These problems will require the dedication of a new generation of professionals, working hand-in-hand with local communities, social scientists, economists, businesses, human rights organizations, other non-government organizations, and international development organizations. EWB assists in training a new generation of professionals through hands-on involvement in new and ongoing national and international development projects.

In August of 2007, a team of students from Engineers Without Borders at Colorado State University (EWB-CSU) traveled to El Chile, El Salvador to implement a water treatment and water supply project. Their trip was highlighted in an article and in a video produced by Colorado State University. To read the article, view pictures, and watch the video, follow this link to the article titled Bringing Water Home.