WASH Field School participants look at posters during the International Academic Engineering Conference at the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia.

A WASH Field School participant reads a poster.

People listen to a poster presenter explain their work.

A student project. There is a physical model of an artificial wetland on poster board.

On Day 19 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we wrapped up our time in Ibagué at the International Academic Engineering Conference, judging outstanding posters and projects by Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia undergrads.

Later, we celebrated the past few weeks with food, music, and dancing!

WASH Canada Trainee Mi Xuan (Joyce) Wong from Simon Fraser University presents on microbial source tracking at the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia Ibagué-Espinal campus.

WASH Canada Trainee Cristian Garcia-Sanchez from Université Laval presents his PhD research on analyzing, characterizing and co-developing drinking water solutions with palafitic communities in Colombia.

WASH Field School participants enjoy a game of Tejo, Colombia’s loud and fun version of pétanque. In Tejo, players throw a metal disc at a target containing gunpowder.

Two WASH Field School participants pose in front of a cut of meat cooked over an open fire.

Day 18 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool featured more research presentations at Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia! We discussed microbial source tracking, Cape Town's Day Zero, #DrinkingWater solutions for vulnerable populations in #Colombia, and more.

We ended the day with a game of Tejo!

A photo grid of the presentations to UCC students. In each of the ten photos, a presenter stands in front of a television that displays a slide from their presentation.

An audience of students from UCC and the WASH Canada Field School listen to presentations while sitting in a lecture hall.

The #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool wouldn't be possible without Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia!

On Day 17, we showed our appreciation by presenting our research to UCC students, covering topics including #DrinkingWater pricing, #wastewater treatment in emergencies, & the #SpongeCity concept.

Professor Caetano Dorea provides a demonstration of low-cost microbial water testing methods using a $2 kit and a human body incubator for low-resource settings.

WASH Canada Field School participants conducted their own water quality tests using this low-cost kit.

The WASH Field School participants sit at a table to conduct water quality tests.

A view down the hallway of the Museo Panóptico de Ibagué. The walls of each arched doorway are painted a bright colour, in contrast to the white hallway. The former prison was built in 1891 with a panopticon design. Now a National Cultural Heritage Site, the Field School participants explored Tolima's historical, political, and cultural background across its 47 municipalities.

On Day 16 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we rolled up our sleeves for lab work at Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia. We conducted #WaterQuality tests using low-cost microbial methods—each kit costs only $2! Later, we visited the Museo Panóptico de Ibagué, a National Cultural Heritage Site.

Outside at a water treatment plant. Multiple tanks holding water are visible.

Professor Caetano Dorea poses in front of a press filter at a treatment plant.

Water flows down a concrete channel with ledges.

Clay pots, jars, and decorations at La Chamba, a vibrant artisanal community where nearly 80% of residents are potters and craftspeople.

We visited 2 treatment plants on Day 15 of #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool! First, ACUAGYR showed how they supply safe #DrinkingWater from intake to distribution.

Later, we learned that the #wastewater entering the Ricaurte WWTP is of higher quality than the water flowing in the Bogotá River.

Four WASH Canada Field School members work on assignments and an upcoming presentation on laptops in their hotel room.

The ingredients used to make the Green Goddess salad, sourced from local markets in Colombia.

The Green Goddess salad made by WASH Field School members.

By Day 14 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, the salad craving was real! We grabbed produce from local markets, made Green Goddess salad in our hotel rooms, and worked on assignments.

Visiting the watersheds in #Colombia has deepened our appreciation for the land that grew our vegetables.

Colourful buildings on a street in Salento.

WASH Canada Field School members hike in the Cocora Valley. Very tall palm trees line the path up the mountain.

A photo taken from the base of a palm tree. The palm trees in the Cocora Valley are among the tallest in the world.

Water flows rapidly in the Quindío River.

On Day 13 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we explored colourful Salento before heading to Cocora Valley—home to some of the tallest palm trees in the world!

On our way back to Ibagué, we visited the Quindío River, a major drinking water source for the city of Armenia.

Members of the WASH Canada Field School pose for a group picture on a mountain. Behind them is a thick layer of fog.

Some members of the WASH Canada Field School stopped for ice cream on the long journey to Salento.

A foggy photo from atop the mountains on the trip to Salento.

A view of the green mountains on the trip to Salento.

On Day 12 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we headed for Salento—a beautiful historic town in the heart of the mountains.

We crossed El Alto de La Línea, one of the highest mountain passes in #Colombia, & hit some heavy traffic. The 9 hour trip allowed for plenty of time to bond and reflect!

A WASH Canada trainee looks at a water sample with a member of Ascala, a water association that has provided drinking water to the community of Calambeo since 1969. Ascala currently provides water to 1200 permanent residents and approximately 400 school students. Ascala was only recently recognized by the local government.

Part of the treatment process at the Calambeo community drinking water treatment system. The system treats water sourced from 11 streams using natural sedimentation, gravel filtration, granular activated carbon filtration, and disinfection.

Members of the WASH Canada Field School listen to Dr. Manuel Rodriguez in a room with white walls.

A large tank filled with water at the Calambeo community drinking water treatment system.

We visited the Calambeo community #DrinkingWaterTreatment system on Day 11 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool!

Since 1969, Ascala has provided drinking water without political affiliation. It now serves >1200 people using sedimentation, gravel and GAC filtration, and disinfection processes.

"And we continue walking". A sign by Armando Armero states that the Centre for Conserving the Memory of the Armero Tragedy is becoming a reality. In front of the sign, there are remains of structures from the city of Armero.

A monument in Armero, Colombia. The monument is circular with white arching supports and a brick base. It commemorates the lives of over 23,000 people lost in the 1985 Armero tragedy.

A view of mountains on a cloudy day.

Members of the WASH Canada Field School pose on the side of a road. There are mountains and clouds in the background.

On Day 10 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we visited Armero, a city of >20,000 people that was tragically lost to a landslide in 1985.

This field school isn't just about #WASH - it's also about exploring local history, experiencing cultures, and seeing how people and environments adapt.

Fabian Garcia Sanchez, a former AQUA group member and current member of the PH2E lab at the University of Victoria, delivers a presentation on the journey of the AQUA lab.

Three WASH Canada trainees pose in front of a metal structure.

A panoramic shot of mountains in Ibagué. The mountains are covered in lush, green vegetation.

A small, rocky stream beside a mountain.

Day 9 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool began at Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia. Dr. Ospina Zuñiga welcomed us to the AQUA lab, where they created a decentralized water treatment device in < 1 m² of space!

Later, we visited Mirador de Juntas & noticed localized pollution near the river.

On Day 8 of #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we hiked into #Colombia's Central Cordillera & saw how geography influences technical choices for water supplies. In Ibagué, pollution & distribution system losses affect drinking water. We planted Nacedero trees along streams to protect the source water.

A fruit stand at the market in Ibagué, Colombia.

Professors Manuel Rodriguez and Caetano Dorea teach a lesson on source water protection and water treatment. Dr. Dorea writes on a whiteboard.

WASH Canada trainees sit at tables while learning about source water protection and water treatment.

Members of the WASH Canada Field School pose for a group picture after a "friendly" game of soccer.

Day 7 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool began with a sunny morning at the fruit market.

Later, we learned about the Cordillera mountain ranges in #Colombia & reflected on source water protection in a lesson by Drs. Manuel Rodriguez & Caetano Dorea.

Week 1 closed with soccer & a hike!

A view of mountains behind a highway on the road from Bogotá to Ibagué.

The sky is cloudy above green mountains on the trip from Bogotá to Ibagué.

A river flows in front of a mountain.

Two houses and green vegetation. The sky is bright blue overhead.

We set off on a breathtaking journey to Ibagué, Colombia's musical capital, for day 6 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool. The warmth was a refreshing change from Bogotá's cool mist!

We were reminded that for #WASH research, context—culture, climate, & community—is critical.

The exterior of the El Dorado drinking water treatment plant in Colombia.

Solar panels used to power drinking water treatment at the El Dorado plant.

A wooden sign at Natural Sumapaz National Park. Laguna Chisacá Los Tunjos is visible behind the sign.

A person holds a piece of a plant with Laguna Chisacá Los Tunjos in the background. Frailejones surround the reservoir.

On Day 5 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we visited the El Dorado #DrinkingWaterTreatment plant with Acueducto de Bogotá. The energy used for treatment processes is being upgraded to solar!

The trip took us to Sumapaz Páramo—a drinking water source with breathtaking views.

WASH Canada trainees look at raised garden beds located in La Roca Ecobarrio, an eco-neighbourhood in San Cristóbal Sur.

A bird's-eye view of Bogotá from Monserrate. WASH Canada trainees took a funicular to the sanctuary on top of the mountain.

WASH Canada trainees sit in a circle listening to a speaker.

WASH Canada trainees get briefed on Bogotá's water sources by Ricardo from Acueducto de Bogotá.

On Day 4 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we visited La Roca Ecobarrio—an eco-neighbourhood with rainwater harvesting tanks, compost bins, and gardens.

Later, we rode up Monserrate and viewed Bogotá from above. We ended the day learning about the city's water sources with
Acueducto de Bogotá.

A Frailejón (Espeletia) in the páramo ecosystem of El Verjón.

Laguna de Teusacá, an ancestral lagoon in the páramo ecosystem of El Verjón. In the background, mist obscures the mountains.

A pre-Columbian gold artifact from the Museo del Oro. This piece, known as the Muisca raft, was created by the Muisca people and likely depicts a gold offering ceremony.

Monalisa by Fernando Botero, a reinterpretation of da Vinci's portrait in Botero's unique and bold style. The painting is displayed in Museo Botero.

Day 3 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool began with a hike to El Verjón Páramo. Surrounded by mist, trainees learned how Frailejón plants contribute to groundwater recharge.

Later, they explored #FernandoBotero's art at #MuseoBotero and indigenous heritage at #MuseoDelOro.