Huayhuash, pronounced “way-wash”, is a spectacular mountain range within the Andes of Peru, and also one of South America’s renowned hiking routes. Sparsely populated, the few hamlets that exist are generally nestled below the snowline at 13,000’ and are difficult and dangerous to access on the winding mountain roads.

The Waterbearers has partnered with the Appu Huayhuash Association to bring clean water filters and instructional demonstrations to 17 communities in the Ancash Andean Region and Lima Province Regions of the Huayhuash range.

According to Florencio Bernabé Gonzales, President of Appu Huayhuash, the water consumed by the inhabitants of these Andean communities is collected from ditches and springs and is not potable. Because animals share these water sources, the water is contaminated with bacteria and parasites, as well as feces, debris, and other impurities.

Some communities consume water directly from these sources without adequate treatment, while others have intermittent chlorination added to their water.  However, the chlorination systems are unregulated, and therefore not always safe.  Indeed, the Ministry of Health has identified that children in these areas have high incidences of gastrointestinal diseases and parasites, resulting in a high rate of anemia and malnutrition.

The use of Sawyer filters, provided by The Waterbearers, means that safe drinking water is now available for seventeen communities and 30 schools in the Huayhuash region, impacting 8224 men, women, and children.