November 20, 2025
By Devasena Sitaram

Three Georgia Tech students joined forces in rural Nepal this summer, combining their engineering skills to help a community in need of a sustainable water source.

Mechanical engineering students Devasena Sitaram, recipient of a $1,000 travel award from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, and Nishita Tonangi joined civil engineering student Grace Jiang on a trip to the village of Chisopani Bhirke as part of the Georgia Tech chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-GT) Nepal Water Sanitation Project. While there, they gathered data, met with residents, and evaluated potential solutions for a long-term, sustainable water supply system.

The EWB-GT Nepal Water Sanitation Project brings together about 30 undergraduate students from a variety of majors to design and build a water source and supply system for Chisopani Bhirke, home to roughly 1,000 residents across 210 households. In recent years, the village’s water sources have dried up, making daily life increasingly difficult. Since August 2024, the team has been studying the community’s constraints, including climate resilience, and researching the availability of local materials for future construction.

During their assessment trip in May, Sitaram, Jiang and Tonangi learned more about the community’s needs and collected data to implement a long-term, sustainable solution.

They assessed water quality and supply through microbiological, physicochemical and flow recharge analyses. The test results showed serious contamination with E. coli and coliform bacteria, low fluoride levels, high turbidity, and a heavy dependence on rainfall. With the only nearby aquifer recharging slowly, severe shortages occur in the dry season.

 “Though there seemed to be a large quantity of water sources, most were seasonal,” Sitaram said. “In the dry season, the community relies on only one, underscoring the need for a sustainable solution.”

By traveling to the community, the students saw firsthand how limited access to clean water affected nearly every aspect of daily life. Jiang recalled that community members had to walk long distances to collect water, carrying back three aluminum vases weighing about 50 pounds each by hand or on their backs.

“It gave me profound insight into the perseverance of women and their vital role in family life,” Jiang said. “The trip reminded me how fortunate we are to have safe water and continues to inspire me to support the people of Chisopani Bhirke.”

The team also visited the local school to examine the water infrastructure and connect with students, bringing small gifts such as school supplies and bubbles.

“Watching the kids laugh reminded me how meaningful simple joys can be,” Tonangi said. “It made me reflect on how easy it is to overlook those moments in daily life.”

Plans are underway for the EWB-GT Nepal Water Sanitation Project team to conduct a hydrogeological survey for deep well construction and improve existing infrastructure or rainwater catchment systems.

To support the EWB-GT Nepal Water Sanitation Project, donate here. Follow the project’s progress on Instagram at @ewbgt.nepal.