Peru
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Are you a Princeton student interested in joining the team? Come by our meetings starting in September and get involved! We’ll teach you everything you need to know— and you don’t need to be an engineer. Contact hc3060@princeton.edu or ac4220@princeton.edu with any questions.
Our Project
The Peru Team is working with the community of Carnichique, Peru, to improve irrigation access for local farmers in the Sequoia Calaveras group. The project supports a rural farming community that relies on shared water access during dry months, when low flow and water loss can make crop irrigation difficult. Over the past several years, our team has helped develop a gravity-fed irrigation system that moves water more efficiently from the source to community fields. Through collaboration with local leaders, our NGO partner Julio Avalos, EWB-USA mentors, and community members, the project has focused on practical, community-centered infrastructure that can be built, maintained, and used locally.
Current Progress
The Carnichique project has made major progress. In the summer of 2024, the team completed a 1.4 km gravity-fed PVC pipeline system, replacing parts of the older dirt canal system that lost water through absorption. The system includes distribution boxes, valves for field-level control, and concrete support columns in vulnerable areas. More recently, in January 2026, the project expanded to include masonry water reservoirs along the pipeline and improvements to the source capture system using a grouted rock weir. These additions are designed to help store water during dry months, improve flow control, and make irrigation more reliable for farmers. The team also updated the Operations & Maintenance plan so the community can continue checking for leaks, clogs, cracks, and other maintenance needs over time.
Where We’re Headed
The Peru Team is now entering an exciting new phase. Our next step is Monitoring and Evaluation for the Carnichique project, where we will assess how well the reservoirs, pipeline, and source-capture improvements are performing. This includes gathering community feedback, checking system reliability, documenting lessons learned, and identifying any minor repairs or improvements needed. At the same time, for the year 2026-2027, the team is beginning to explore potential new project opportunities in nearby communities, with possible needs related to potable water, sanitation, solar electricity access, irrigation canals, and other community infrastructure. This is a great time for new members to join, because students will have the chance to help close out one meaningful project while also shaping the beginning of a brand-new partnership.
Our Blog Posts
Read about our personal experiences working in country, eating potatoes, presenting at the EWB-USA National Conference and more.
Featured Video
Take a tour through the beautiful terrain of Pusunchás from drone footage taken in summer 2018!
Our History
Since 2004, EWB-Princeton has worked with communities in Peru across the La Libertad region, including Samne, La Pitajaya, and Huamanzaña on various water projects.