Project: Agua Amigos
Sustainable Water Systems for Central America
Agua Amigos is a Georgia Tech Grand Challenges research initiative focused on tackling water scarcity in underserved Central American communities. Our mission is to design and prototype sustainable filtration and pump systems that provide clean water while minimizing energy consumption. By integrating low-cost, renewable methods, we aim to improve both health outcomes and long-term sustainability in the regions we serve.
Team
Gargi Telang, Julia Moy, Madyson Britton, Emma Harris, and Leslie Nava
My Role
Project Researcher and Systems Engineer — led the analysis of water filtration efficiency, modeled fluid dynamics for pump systems, and coordinated outreach efforts with local communities and experts.
🌍 Stakeholder Engagement
We collaborated closely with community centers in Atlanta, Central American residents, and water management experts to ensure our design addressed real-world challenges. Through stakeholder interviews and site analyses, we identified critical water access barriers, such as unreliable filtration infrastructure and limited power availability, guiding our design toward energy-efficient, locally adaptable systems.
Design Approach
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Conducted field research on existing pump and filtration mechanisms.
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Explored the use of yeast-based filtration as an affordable and sustainable purification method.
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Modeled potential designs in CAD and simulated flow efficiency to maximize clean water output.
Impact & Recognition
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1st Place: Georgia Tech Grand Challenges Finale (April 2025)
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Awarded the Investors’ Award, earning over 12,000 Grand Challenges Bucks.
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Recognized for innovative, research-driven solutions and strong stakeholder integration.
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Instructors’ Award — Most Promising Research
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Received a $1,600 grant to continue research on yeast-based water purification methods for underserved communities.
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