Guided by an Agricultural and Biological Engineering graduate student, Laurent Ahiablame, the research commenced in the Spring 2011 semester. The team’s objectives were threefold: 1) to study the existing water resources in the urbanizing community, Yokoe, 2) to observe the public’s attitudes and behaviors regarding water supply and quality, and 3) to propose a water distribution system model to the community that best fit their needs and attitudes.

The team observed that the two main problems in the community were the distribution of water and its lack of quality. One of the team members, Genevieve Viduya, who graduated last spring in Environmental and Occupation Health Science, notes that, “within the three weeks that we were there, I observed many women carrying buckets of water on their heads while simultaneously carrying a child harnessed to her waist and back. Many of these women had to travel long distances to purchase clean water.” The proposed water system model eliminated this problematic inefficiency increasing the accessibility to water to each house as well as made it financially feasible. Along with the distribution of water, water quality was obviously the other main issue. Monette noted that, “we also observed that women did not have the means to provide clean water. According to the surveys, most them were aware of the unhealthy consequences of poor water quality but  could not do anything to prevent it.” The research team was able to look into sustainable water quality methods using the resources around the community.

When in Yokoe, they were able to meet with the community’s water council. According to Taisha Venort, a senior in Environmental and Ecological Engineering, “involving the community in decision-makings was an important approach for us for the success of this project.” As she also states, this helped the team understand, “the ties within the complexity of the water availability problem whether they were societal, economic or political.” This constant collaboration made it possible to address the needs of the community and interact with those who are responsible for the implementation of the model to take place accurately.

In addition to the research, the research team was also able to visit another city of Togo, Agrippa Todzi, where another Purdue team was able to build a well that provided safe drinking water to that village. Genevieve observed that, “at the well, they inscribed ‘Purdue University’ and a description of the project to commemorate their gratitude for their work. I most definitely felt that ‘Boilermaker Pride that accompanies accomplishments like that.” This instance was a great experience to see Purdue’s success beyond the country’s borders.

While the whole teams considered the whole experience to be a positive and very influential project, a team member, Jacob Niemeier, a senior in Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, points out that, “Ultimately, I feel the research we did not only will directly benefit the people of the Yokoe Quarter community but also all of Togo and many similar communities and countries around the world experiencing the same issues.” Similarly, Monette also states, “Being a part of this project has helped me appreciate the broadness and diversity of Industrial Engineering. I am blessed to have been able to experience this opportunity to utilize what I have learned in my classes and apply it to real-world problems in a developing country.” Right now, they are writing the research article in hopes for it to be published in a scientific journal of choice. With a huge desire to help change the world, they all hope to be a part in projects such as this one after graduation.

If you have any questions about the project, email Monette Viduya at mviduya@purdue.edu