Caetano Dorea
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Caetano Dorea
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Group Leader: Public Health & Environmental Engineering (PH2E) Lab
Director: NSERC CREATE in Water & Sanitation for Low-Resource Contexts (#WASHCanada)
@PH2E_UVic (Twitter)
linkedin.com/in/caetano-dorea-990350a4
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Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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!
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.
May 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
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.
May 22, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
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.
May 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
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.
May 20, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
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.
May 19, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
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.
May 19, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
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.
May 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
"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.
May 15, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
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.
May 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
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.
May 11, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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 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.
May 12, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
May 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
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.
May 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
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.
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.
May 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
Day 2 of #WASHFieldSchool started with a cruise on the Bogotá River led by the Corporación Autónoma Regional de Cundinamarca. Trainees learned about CAR's work to improve one of the world's most polluted rivers. Wastewater treatment at the El Salitre WWTP has had noticeable effects on water quality!
A selfie showing graduate students on a wooden structure along the Bogotá River. Students are wearing bright orange life jackets with the company name "CAR" and the slogan "Vive el nuevo Río Bogotá". An image of the Bogotá River reflecting clouds. Chorro de Queveda, a fountain in the Candelaria neighbourhood of Bogotá. Field school attendees pose for a picture at Bolívar Square.
May 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
On Day 1 of the #WASHFieldSchool, we visited Aguaviva, Bogotá's carbon-neutral park.

This former asphalt plant was transformed into an iconic green space featuring over 8000 tons of reused demolition waste and interactive spaces that bring the water cycle to life.
A sign for an artificial wetland in the Aguaviva park. The sign describes, in Spanish, the importance of water and wetlands to ecological processes in the territory. Two men lead a discussion while standing on a brick border around a water body in the Aguaviva park. Plants growing in raised beds in Aguaviva. High-rise buildings are visible in the background. Trainees stand in front of a large red structure in Aguaviva.
May 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
…and we’re off to Colombia for the 4th edition of the #WASHFieldSchool!

Our trainees will be travelling to link up with Profs. Manuel Rodriguez & Caetano Dorea over the next few weeks.
May 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by Caetano Dorea
washcanada.bsky.social
We’re on Bluesky!

#WASHCanada is an NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program focused on Water and Sanitation for Low-resource Contexts.

Follow us to see how we collaborate on research for sustainable WASH services and equip trainees to tackle WASH challenges.
May 5, 2025 at 2:40 PM
hydrocyclista.bsky.social
Some great news to finish off 2024!

I'm honoured to be selected for
@UVic.bksy.social Faculty of Eng. & Comp. Sci. Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching!

Thanks to the students that I have the privilege of interacting with and making this aspect of my job so rewarding.
December 20, 2024 at 10:20 PM