The Faculty of Geosciences Engineering (FICT) at ESPOL conducted a field trip from August 30 to September 5, 2026, in Santa Cruz, Galápagos, as part of the consulting project contracted by the Santa Cruz Municipal Public Water and Sewer Company, E.P. (EPMAPASC E.P.) to ESPOL-TECH E.P. The work involves the comprehensive geomechanical characterization and quantitative assessment of the stability of the rock mass surrounding the La Camiseta water intake.
The project is led by Maurizio Mulas, Ph.D., Project Director, and includes the participation of Silvia Loaiza, Ph.D., geotechnical specialist; Guillermo Muñoz, M.Sc., structural specialist; and Victoria Rosado, M.Sc. (c), field technical assistant. The team is working to characterize the rock mass and assess its stability in order to identify risks and provide criteria for protecting the La Camiseta water intake source.
Overall, the team’s work aims to assess geological and geotechnical risks in order to establish a technical foundation for protecting the water intake infrastructure and contributing to the continuity of the drinking water supply system in the Santa Cruz canton.
This consulting project builds upon and expands the technical and scientific work previously carried out by ESPOL and EPMAPASC E.P. During an initial field survey conducted in 2025, specialists from FICT carried out a preliminary assessment of the geological and geotechnical risks associated with the rock mass and the water intake infrastructure, which identified the need to conduct more in-depth studies and propose stabilization solutions.
The importance of this research stems from the strategic role of La Camiseta in Santa Cruz’s water supply. Given the limited availability of freshwater on the island and the problems experienced by other water intake sources, this infrastructure is a critical component of local water security.
During this new phase, a comprehensive characterization of the rock mass and a quantitative assessment of its stability were conducted. The results will provide a technical basis for analyzing ground conditions and supporting measures aimed at protecting the water intake infrastructure.
The ongoing collaboration between FICT-ESPOL, ESPOL-TECH E.P., and EPMAPASC E.P. enables the application of specialized knowledge to address a strategic need in the region. The studies conducted provide information for managing geological and geotechnical risks associated with infrastructure related to the drinking water supply in Santa Cruz.
Key figures:
FICT/ESPOL-TECH:
Maurizio Mulas, Ph.D. - Project Director
Silvia Loaiza, Ph.D. - Geotechnical Specialist
Guillermo Muñoz, M.Sc. - Structural Specialist
Victoria Rosado, M.Sc. (c) - Field Technical Assistant
Participating institutions:
Santa Cruz Municipal Public Water and Sewer Company, E.P. (EPMAPASC E.P.).
Paolo Zambrano, M.Sc. - General Manager
Diego Ango, M.Sc. - Water Quality Analyst
Related SDG
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. For contributing to the protection and sustainability of a strategic source and infrastructure for the supply of drinking water.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. For applying scientific and technical knowledge to the assessment and protection of critical infrastructure.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. For contributing to the analysis and mitigation of geological and geotechnical risks that may affect essential services in the region.
