by Brianne Welch | Oct 24, 2012 | News Slider
Clean drinking water is so often taken for granted, but there are areas all over the world that struggle to get a safe drink of water every day. Safe and clean drinking water has been always been an issue in developing countries around the globe. There are people in countries worldwide who get water-born diseases because they drink, bathe, wash clothes and perform other daily tasks in the same water source. According to Dr. Joe Morgan, the university’s department chair of civil and environmental engineering, engineers are some of the most important people in helping deal with the clean water crisis in the world. ”Typically engineers that are helping people have access to clean water would work with local or national populations to try and help folks look at available sources,” he said. Safety for the communities is the key issue for engineers who are helping develop clean water systems. “We have to analyze and know what is the best plan for meeting the needs of the community,” Morgan said. “We decide which technology may or may not be required to make sure the water is reasonably safe.” Morgan said for communities who only have one water source for the entire area, the solution may be very simple. “A lot of times, all that is really required is just to put in a well.” Morgan said, explaining that putting in a working well can greatly enhance the water quality of a community that uses the same water source for everything they do. Not only do engineers help with the building process of wells and treatment plants. Morgan said they are also very...
by Jake Morgan | Mar 22, 2010 | Opinion
On February 5th, 2010 I hopped off a plane in Guatemala City. As our team of eight loaded into our rental trucks only a few things were certain – The air was warm, I was hungry, and we were definitely not in Nashville anymore. After grabbing our first traditional Guatemalan meal at Burger King (“Rey de Hamburguesa” for our Spanish speaking readers), we began our four-hour trek northbound across the country to reach the mountain city of Coban. From what little I understood we would be spending the next two days working with the Kechi Mayans in the heart of Guatemala’s Ulpan Valley. As our caravan pushed further north, the landscape quickly changed from rolling hills to dry desert to the towering mountains of the Baja Vera Pas. If you’ve never driven in Guatemala, it’s hard to comprehend this ride is like. Basically, picture the worst mountain road you’ve ever experienced. Then, cut it down to a two-lane highway loaded with semis and logging trucks. Oh, and from my understanding, it takes at least seven policemen to issue a speeding ticket in Guatemala. This translates to all rationality of a speed limit going right out the window. So, here we are, driving at breakneck speeds down this winding two-lane highway, passing semi trucks while praying no one comes darting around the next corner. Consider it a religious experience. After somehow arriving safely in Coban, we took advantage of our quick journey and got a good night’s rest. The next day we would make the journey into the Ulpan Valley, also known as “The Corridor of Death.” When I had...
