Tzalá River and Lake Atitlán Basins, Guatemala

This collaborative project between the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and the University of Minnesota focuses on improving water quality and security through community-based monitoring. By establishing a "Regional GeoCommunity," the initiative empowers local groups—including youth, women, and municipal technicians—to conduct water sampling and interpret environmental data. The project has successfully integrated GIS tools like ArcGIS Survey123 for offline data collection and developed low-cost, cell-phone-based prototypes for detecting E. coli in the field.

Progress is bolstered by binational technical exchanges and a strong emphasis on validation, ensuring that citizen-generated data aligns with professional laboratory standards. Awareness-building efforts are already underway through the creation of infographics and StoryMaps, which will be showcased at school environmental fairs and the San Andrés Semetabaj Ecomuseum. These efforts aim to foster long-term environmental stewardship and create a replicable model for sustainable water management in the region.

An elevated, wide-angle view of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala.