Purifying Water and Preserving Archeology in Peru - UT - Knoxville

The UTK Nourish International chapter will travel to Cerro Blanco, Peru this summer to build a potable water system. We will be working with Moche, a federally recognized 501(c)3, seeking to preserve archeological sites in Peru through community empowerment. In addition to installing the water system, we will assist in the formation of a town water committee in order to ensure the sustainability of the system for years to come. The project is designed to provide water for 500 people at a total of 30,000 liters per day.

What’s the issue?

Many know Moche as the northern Peruvian civilization of rich architecture and culture that flourished over a thousand years ago. Less well known, however, is the status of Moche and it’s people today.

Clean water is the key to any community’s development. The World Health Organization reports that 88% of all waterborne diseases are related to lack of clean water and improper sanitation.

In addition to a lack of water, archeological sites in Peru are being looted by surrounding villages due to their extreme poverty.

How does this project help solve the problem?

Moche, Inc.—a federally recognized 501(c)3—was founded in 2006 to solve the vast amount of problems in the area. Not only does Moche, Inc. protect the invaluable archeological sites in the area, but it also empowers the surrounding communities. Since 2006, Moche, Inc. has taken on an array of projects ranging from establishing a clean water supply, to literacy programs, to establishing local parks.

Nourish International will work alongside Moche and the community of Cerro Blanco to ensure that clean water will no longer be a road block in their development process. In addition to providing a new water system, the establishment of a town water committee will ensure that this system remains viable for the foreseeable future.

What will be the long-term impact?

In exchange for providing clean water to this village, the people of Cerro Blanco look after the archeological site. This way we are preserving those of the past while providing for those of the present and future.

Also, with clean water, the health of those in Cerro Blanco will be greatly improved. This allows the village to focus on advancements in education. With the water also come strides in agriculture through irrigation.