Water & Sanitation Internship (In-person)

EcoSwell is a surfing-inspired sustainable development non-profit (NGO) driving the development of poor Peruvian coastal communities through a path of sustainability. We develop environmental, educational, infrastructure and socio-economic projects working hand in hand with local communities and international volunteer interns.

Water is a scarce resource in Lobitos. Many families do not have access to flushing toilets and the local sewer system has been collapsed for years, exposing open drainage points that threaten the health of the local community. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative wastewater treatment and disposal methods. As an organization we have been working to improve the sanitation conditions here in Lobitos:

• In 2015 we installed a biodigester at the artisanal Fisherman’s Guild, making the fishermen empowered leaders of this change. The biodigester treats wastewater and reuses it for irrigation purposes.

• The construction of our dry toilet was completed in March 2018 which helps us to save water whilst producing fertiliser for the garden plants. In one year this unit has saved around 18,700 litres of freshwater and has produced around 800 litres of organic fertilizer (compost) for our reforestation efforts. We hope to make this dry sanitation widely available to the community in Lobitos through the construction of more public toilets.

• We have developed a pilot desalination unit (Solar Distiller) for turning seawater into freshwater and are constantly improving it to turn it into a practical and viable solution for water access.

• We are implementing bio-remediation/phytoremediation techniques using special plants (vetiver, Chrysopogon zizanioides) floating hydroponically to treat wastewater spills.

• We are carrying out research into potential uses of groundwater as alternative water sources for reforestation and community use.

We need hard-working volunteer interns with a strong interest and/or background knowledge in water management and sanitation to come and support us in these ongoing projects in northern Peru.

As a water & sanitation volunteer intern at EcoSwell, you will be given ownership of the projects, working alongside the community and the EcoSwell team. The daily activities will vary depending on the progress and stage we are at of each project. This may include but is not limited to:

• Water Treatment

Besides the Solar Distiller, we are currently implementing the vetiver system (a special grass capable of water/soil treatment) to contain and removing toxicities & pathogens from wastewater spills which are prevalent in the towns of Piedritas and Lobitos where we work. Interns can get involved with the research and construction of more floating hydroponic devices for vetiver (pontoons) and other water treatment initiatives and technologies like solar distillers & biodigesters. 

• Dry Toilet

At the EcoSwell house we are using our dry toilet on a daily basis. Interns will be required to make improvements on the current design of our dry toilet or develop & initiate the expansion of more public dry toilets in the community.

• Groundwater 

Volunteer interns will also be able to get involved with our ongoing groundwater research for community use in Lobitos, as well as plan, design, test & implement potential applications.

Volunteer interns work between 9am to 5pm on weekdays but evenings and weekends are free for you to spend as you wish. For those joining our in-person placement, the northern coast of Peru has amazing waves, beaches and towns to go visit, with lots of different activities on offer such as:

• Surf lessons with local instructors in Lobitos. Alternatively, rent one of our EcoSwell surfboards and head out to the waves by yourself.

• Yoga classes

• Swimming with turtles 

• Fishing, sea-lion and whale watching trips with local fishermen

• Trekking and birdwatching in the native Dry Forest ecosystem

• Eat traditional Peruvian food at local restaurants 

• Visits to other nearby beaches and towns within hours of Lobitos to explore more Peruvian landscapes, culture & history.

Please note that these activities are separate and are not included in the financial contribution you make as part of the volunteer internship.