BergerWorld: 4th Quarter 2004

Chiquimula, a bustling market center known for its livestock and agricultural products, is one of the driest areas in Guatemala. The town supports a growing population, yet the current water system serves less than one-third of the people and only supplies six hours of water every two days. To improve access, Asesoria Tecnica de Empresas (ASTEDE) selected the Berger Group to conduct a feasibility study and prepare designs for an improved municipal water and sewer program.

Berger worked with municipal officials and concerned stakeholders to identify local and regional water needs, review regional development plans, prepare projections of population and changing land use then drafted 30-year forecasts for potable water demand. Using this information, Berger reviewed alternate sources and identified five service improvement options, including river water and new wells. Berger experts then reviewed their findings in an extensive public outreach program during which the Juplingo River was identified as the most plentiful supply with the highest water quality. The Team prepared detailed designs for an intake box on the Juplingo River, a suction well, a 12 kilometer pipeline, two pump stations, a water treatment plant and a supply tank.

An additional component of this project was the improvement of the existing water system. Berger conducted extensive water quality tests to ensure that the water treatment system met international standards and evaluated the condition of the intakes, main water pipes, treatment plant and distribution system. During these evaluations, Berger identified a number of leaks in the system and implemented a leak reduction plan to cut water loss in half. To fund this $25 million program, Berger evaluated several funding schemes, analyzed the consumer's ability to pay for water use and prepared documentation to secure necessary funding.