Investigating causes and looking for solutions.

Amigos de Atitlan works alongside notable scientist in alliance with several local and international universities to research the causes of the Lakes deterioration and seek solutions in order to Rescue it.

In 2011, in Santa Catarina Palopo, we created the Amigos del Lago Research Center, to facilitate this research and guarantee its continuity. In 2018 the center offerd its 5th “Summer Abroad” program for UC Davis students titled “Ecological and Social Situation in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala”, directed by Eliska Rejmankova and Jenise Snyder.

The courses consist of conferences, trips and outdoor laboratory experiments that provide practical experience with various topics related to aquatic ecology. Students work in groups for different projects and prepare result reports. This year, the focus of the projects was in the following areas:

Within its projects aimed at Environmental Sanitation, the Association of Friends of the Lake has implemented the component of strengthening municipal districts in which it advises and trains municipal dependencies, by focusing on efforts in water and sanitation, in order to improve these services which will better the health of inhabitants and conserve Lake Atitlán.

During 2020, new municipal authorities have received information generated from 15 municipalities in the Lake Atitlán Basin, these being planning tools which include Orthophotomosaics, technical studies in sewage and piped water networks, with their respective budgets and technical specifications, in order to advise and train in implementation and management through the Public Investment System/SNIP.  Due to the change in government, there have been structural changes as well in the municipalities, thus making it necessary to continue strengthening and training new officers in the Municipal Planning Office and other municipal units therein.

To further strengthen municipalities, we developed municipal technical preparation through a virtual course aimed at Municipal Planning Directors and technicians regarding the “NationalPublic Investment System/SNIP” focused on water and sanitation projects, together with SEGEPLAN.  Currently, we are developing a basic course in water, sanitation, and hygiene, together with the SESAN of the water and sanitation axis of the departmental commissions of Health and Nutritional Security.  This improves methodological skills and specific intervention strategies which will better succeed in achieving goals in common, to meet with water and sanitation legislation.

We want municipalities to have technically formulated files or portfolios on sewage and water distribution, with all supporting legal requisites, approvals, and technical authorizations, within current norms.  This will aid them in meeting with legislation so that they will cease dumping sewage into Lake Atitlán and are able to improve access to water which has worsened, due to contamination, drought caused by climate change, obsolete infrastructure, not to mention population increase in the lake basin.

The inadequate management of waste and solid waste has a negative impact on the health of the population and on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
The inadequate disposal of waste and solid waste in San Antonio Palopó for approximately 20 years at the site known as the municipal open-air landfill have generated negative impacts on the environment (natural resources), the spread of vectors and human health problems. For this reason, during 2020, in a joint effort between Friends of Lake Atitlán, Municipality of San Antonio Palopó, Amsclae, Conap and Marn, the closure of the Garbage Dump and the implementation of a comprehensive system of adequate waste management began its solid.

During 2020, more than 2000 cubic meters of garbage were evacuated, which were transferred to a controlled landfill.

The project also consisted of a legal component through the development of a Regulation for the Comprehensive Management of Solid Waste of the Municipality of San Antonio Palopó and a communication and awareness program with citizens

This project demonstrates that coordinated, focused and proactive work can create positive changes for the rescue of Lake Atitlan and to protect the health of the local population.

By 2021 we have carried out the 2 phase of the project that consisted of the evacuation of another 2000 cubic meters of solid waste with the ultimate goal of recovering the area so that an ecological-recreational project can be implemented for the population of San Antonio Palopó.