CoAguas SAS Factsheet
Milestones
In Guachené, Colombia, 50% of the 20,000 inhabitants have no connection to a water system and half of the population practices open defecation. Since 2011 CONSAM started improving conditions in the community by developing a WASH intervention model, supervising urban sewerage, rehabilitating wastewater treatment plants and by ensuring governmental commitments. 10,810 people are currently served. Financial partners are Pavco, Municipality of Gauchené and the Inter-American Development Bank, with a budget of €1,353,652 euro. CONSAM’s participation equals €86,150 euro. Main outcomes include:
The project “Learning and demonstration project for safe water disposal and use of urine and faeces in the indigenous community of Munchique” is a pilot project developed in the framework of cooperation partnerships managed and articulated by Women for Water Partnership, Aqua for All, AKVO and the indigenous community Paez in southern Colombia. the budget totaled €61.593 Euro.
In the project educational processes and community participation were developed. Special attention went out to gender and hygiene habits, environmental protection and food security. This was demonstrated in a learning and demonstration project for the region.
Main outcomes include:
- Founded in 2007 as CONSAM
- 2020 New name CoAguas SAS
- WfWP member since 2006.
- Mission: To contribute to safe water and sanitation and healthy hygiene habits for all through ecological alternatives, with emphasis on the population in poverty, recognizing local knowledge, participation, initiative, entrepreneurship, gender equity and sustainability
- Focus area: Mainly rural areas of indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, especially in forest, pacific zones and params (These populations are hard to reach and have limited access to communication means)
- Level: National, local and basin
- Main themes: Sustainable Development, Water & Sanitation
- Beneficiaries: > 30,000
- Staff: 3 and 1 volunteer
- Annual budget (average): US$150,000
Milestones
In Guachené, Colombia, 50% of the 20,000 inhabitants have no connection to a water system and half of the population practices open defecation. Since 2011 CONSAM started improving conditions in the community by developing a WASH intervention model, supervising urban sewerage, rehabilitating wastewater treatment plants and by ensuring governmental commitments. 10,810 people are currently served. Financial partners are Pavco, Municipality of Gauchené and the Inter-American Development Bank, with a budget of €1,353,652 euro. CONSAM’s participation equals €86,150 euro. Main outcomes include:
- Improved access to water and sanitation facilities for Guachené’s inhabitants
- Capacitated women became sub-contractors and now teach proper use of technology, build urinals and reinforce healthy hygiene habits
- Through access to water women set up small-scale productive activities to generate an income
- Women headed households are now prioritized by the local government
The project “Learning and demonstration project for safe water disposal and use of urine and faeces in the indigenous community of Munchique” is a pilot project developed in the framework of cooperation partnerships managed and articulated by Women for Water Partnership, Aqua for All, AKVO and the indigenous community Paez in southern Colombia. the budget totaled €61.593 Euro.
In the project educational processes and community participation were developed. Special attention went out to gender and hygiene habits, environmental protection and food security. This was demonstrated in a learning and demonstration project for the region.
Main outcomes include:
- 10 ecological ecosan options, designed and constructed in participation and used by the families.
- 10 families practicing healthy hygiene habits related to management of water, excreta, solid residues and food for the households.
- Building capacity on ecological sanitation and food security strategies in the group of leaders and community members.
- 10 families applying treated excreta in household cultivations.
- Home orchard producing food for the family nutrition, recovery nutrients from faeces and urine.
- Support and follow-up to the families implementing learning and demonstration systems.
- Production of educational material.
