Agua limpia y saneamiento

A top-decile (Q1) scientific study analyzes 24 sub-watersheds on Santa Cruz Island (Galápagos) to prioritize those with the most favorable conditions for sustainable water management and agriculture, identifying five key watersheds with high water-retention capacity. Published in Environmental & Sustainability Indicators, the study provides high-impact scientific evidence to support territorial planning and climate change adaptation in volcanic island environments.

Research Technician from FICT - ESPOL conducted a research stay at the National University of Colombia (UNAL) as part of the EOR and CCUS project, collaborating in the Summer School on low-carbon technologies. This experience strengthens scientific cooperation between Ecuador and Colombia in the fields of sustainability and energy transition.

Based on Karla Villamar's master's thesis (ESPOL), a study published in the journal Groundwater for Sustainable Development reveals that mining and urbanization in Santa Rosa, El Oro, have contaminated streams and altered the chemical composition of water reaching local communities. This research, conducted by FICT experts alongside Slovakian colleagues, provides key scientific evidence to improve water management, protect public health, and promote sustainability in mining areas.

ESPOL and the University of Cagliari, with support from the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, are implementing the IsVolc project in Santa Cruz, Galápagos, to strengthen sustainable water management. The initiative includes the delivery of specialized equipment, technical training for staff from the local water authority (EPMAPASC), and the collection of samples at key points such as ‘La Camiseta’ and the ‘El Gallito’ well, with the aim of ensuring water quality and expanding extraction sources.

The Municipal Public Water and Sewerage Company of Santa Cruz (EPMAPASC), Galápagos, is facing a crisis due to a rockfall at its only source of drinking water, the ‘La Camiseta’ intake infrastructure. To address the emergency, the company requested support from ESPOL, whose experts in geology and geotechnics conducted a preliminary assessment of the risks and potential solutions.