EWB Challenge

Nepal Water for Health

Background
Engineers are increasingly seeking to use their expertise to assist development in disadvantaged and
developing communities. The Engineers without Borders (EWB) Challenge project will give you the
opportunity to start your engineering degree program by applying practical engineering concepts and skills
to help a remote Nepalese, hill top community achieve their right to a safe, clean drinking water supply.
Design Task
Nepal Water for Health is a NGO in Nepal that is working towards the provision of clean drinking water,
hygiene and the promotion of sanitation (WASH). Only 53% of the existing water supply systems in Nepal
are operational. The community of Sandikhola is located at an elevation of 1259 meters in the Gorkha
district of Nepal. It can be accessed by public transport by taking 2 buses and a walking bridge (~6 hours
from the nearest major city) or by one bus and walking for 6-7 hours. Specific concerns in the village with
respect to water include the protection of water supply sources, water purification and methods to test the
quality of water supplies cheaply and easily. EWB would like you to design a system for treating and
analysing water supplies for the Sandikhola Village and similar hill top communities to assist in the provision
of a clean and reliable supply of water throughout the year.
The Challenge
You will need to work closely and collaboratively with your team
members to fulfil the project deliverables:
1. Design a conceptual system to treat the Sandikhola village
water supply, recommending the most appropriate
technologies for water purification in the village.
2. Develop a conceptual water quality testing kit that can be
developed and deployed in Nepal at an affordable price.
3. Design and build a water treatment filter with associated
monitor to demonstrate how filtration can form part of an
engineering solution to provide a clean and reliable water
supply communities like Sandikhola.
You will need to view the issue from an alternative perspective to
provide a solution that is appropriate to the community,
considering social and cultural aspects that may be very different
to your own, as well as ensuring your design reflects sustainable
and environmentally responsible engineering practices.
Final reports have the opportunity to be submitted to EWB for
external review. Outstanding teams may be invited by EWB to
present their work at the EWB Challenge Regional Showcase Event.
Students who have participated in the EWB Challenge are eligible to apply for the EWB Challenge
Scholarship:http://www.ewb.org.au/explore/initiatives/ewbchallenge/involved/ewb-challenge-scholarship