Past Projects
Cameroon
2007–2013
From 2007 to 2013, Engineers Without Borders at the University of Delaware partnered with the community of Bamendjou, Cameroon to deliver clean and reliable drinking water to the villages of Bakang and Balatsit. The project used solar-powered pumps to draw groundwater from three borehole wells into storage tanks and a 20,000-liter reservoir, which then distributed water through a network of pipelines to community tap stands. This system replaced unsafe water sources that had caused illnesses such as cholera, amoebic dysentery, and typhoid, and now provides every community member with access to approximately 10 liters of clean water per day.
Guatemala
2009–2014
This project, introduced by Dr. April Veness from UD Geography, addressed a critical bridge need in San Jose. Between 2009 and 2011, the team collected soil samples, conducted water and hydrological studies, and performed material testing to inform the bridge design. A 60-foot single-lane concrete bridge was chosen for its sustainability and familiarity to local construction practices, rather than a timber suspension bridge. Construction took place in January 2012, with UD students and community members working together to complete the bridge, and final curing and verification were conducted by local partners.
Philippines
2014–2022
Engineers Without Borders at the University of Delaware partnered with Ubujan, Inabanga, Philippines to develop a water distribution and disinfection system, providing safe drinking and cooking water to the community. Local water sources were frequently contaminated by typhoons and fecal coliform bacteria. The system includes a chlorination shed with a borehole, an elevated reservoir, and four tap stands serving about 500 people via over 1,000 meters of piping, with plans to expand support to approximately 1,200 residents. After Typhoon Odette in December 2021 damaged the power grid, EWB-UD and local leaders coordinated relief efforts—supplying a generator, diesel, and rice—while the water system remained structurally intact and resumed operation by February 2022, maintaining safe water access during recovery.
Bolivia
2022–2023
Over two summers, Engineers in Action (EIA) collaborated with students from multiple universities to build two bridges. These structures improved connectivity between communities, reduced travel time for people and goods, and increased access to education.