1. Introduction & Context
In many rural areas of Paraguay’s Chaco region, access to safe drinking water remains a major challenge, particularly for remote indigenous communities. The project began in 2015 in the small village of Hugua Chini, where households relied mainly on untreated surface water sources and limited rainwater collection. Seasonal flooding, limited infrastructure, and long distances to water sources made daily water access difficult and time-consuming. To address these challenges, IngOG+ initiated a pilot initiative focused on simple, locally adapted water treatment solutions. Over time, changing community priorities and environmental conditions required the project to evolve, shifting its focus toward broader collaboration with local institutions and research partners.
2. Project Goal
The project aimed to improve access to safe and reliable drinking water in rural communities in Paraguay while identifying sustainable and locally appropriate solutions. Initially, the focus was on testing low-cost household water treatment technologies and rainwater harvesting systems in Hugua Chini. As community needs evolved, the initiative expanded to support longer-term improvements in rural water supply and to strengthen local research capacity. Through collaboration with the Universidad Nacional de Asunción (UNA), the project also aimed to support student research and knowledge exchange on water treatment technologies, contributing to the development and evaluation of practical solutions for rural communities.
3. Approach & Technical Solution
The initial pilot phase involved installing biosand filters and rainwater harvesting systems in Hugua Chini and evaluating their performance together with the community. While the systems functioned technically, residents expressed a preference for a piped water supply that would reduce the need to manually collect water from distant sources. As a result, the project broadened its approach. IngOG+ supported the community in exploring options for a government-funded piped network while continuing to promote biosand filtration through workshops and training activities. At the same time, a partnership with the Universidad Nacional de Asunción was established. IngOG+ contributed through financial support for field visits, equipment for microbial water quality analysis, and technical feedback on research reports and student theses.
4. Lessons Learnt & Impact
The project highlighted the importance of adapting technical solutions to evolving community priorities. While household filtration technologies proved technically viable, community members ultimately prioritised more convenient access to water through a centralised supply system. The collaboration with the Universidad Nacional de Asunción opened new opportunities to combine practical field experience with academic research. Student projects and theses contributed to further testing and improving biosand filter designs and water treatment approaches. Although field activities were temporarily slowed by severe flooding and later by the COVID-19 pandemic, regular exchanges with local partners allowed the project to continue through research collaboration and knowledge sharing. The partnership has strengthened local capacity for water research and laid the foundation for future initiatives addressing rural water challenges in Paraguay.
