On the shores of Mexico’s largest lake, water issues are a persistent challenge.
One man is aware of these concerns more than most. Expat U.S. engineer Todd Stong is on a mission to apply his expertise toward solving water supply and wastewater problems and improving the quality of life for people living in the area’s most marginalized/poorest communities.
For the past 22 years, Stong has been serving the rural poor in Africa, Asia and Mexico. Prior to that, he spent 30 years in the Army Corps of Engineers, much of that time posted overseas.
“After years of military construction work worldwide, my most gratifying work has been building water supply systems for rural villages,” says Stong. “At some point, I made a list of my 15 jobs that I liked and disliked, and looked for a common thread. I knew that I didn’t want to work for someone else or be part of a committee. What I wanted was to bring good water to poor people in the developing world.”
Stong began sharing his know-how with Lake Chapala communities 15 years ago, having arrived from an area in Africa that had become quite dangerous. After doing some research with his wife Vivian, the couple chose Ajijic as their next destination. Their current home is located in one of the village’s Mexican neighborhoods and is their second rental since landing here.
Immediately after settling in, Stong set to work visiting nearby villages and talking with the locals about their needs.
“I spend about three days per week in villages and I know them all rather well. I service 42 villages in six municipalities around Lake Chapala, depending if the town’s mayor needs my work or not. I talk with maybe 30 people in the village before presenting the information to the mayor.”
Stong believes in showing villagers how to build water systems or a bridge over a river by themselves. “We use local skills and local materials – basically brick; maybe some cement, sand and a bit of steel. I require three basic tools: a tape measure, a line level and a plastic cord. I use a plastic cord and a level to make something level, such as a bridge, and then I measure it with the tape. I might also use a compass.
“My desire is to make life better for the less educated and teach them how to make simple solutions for water and wastewater. In my designs, everything requires zero energy and chemicals; we do things biologically and by gravity.”
How exactly does Stong start a “relationship” with a lakeside community?
First, he says, he creates a “need” chart and visits the village to chat with the locals. He believes in keeping a low profile, so he goes into town in an old, ugly car.
“I usually wear a plain brown jumpsuit and worn construction shoes. I sit on the sidewalk. People may think I’m the trash man! When you want people to trust you, you want to sit below them. I’ve been doing this in Africa and Asia and it’s a similar scenario.
He continues: “I sit on the sidewalk for about 30 minutes at various locations and in my basic Spanish I ask villagers: ‘Que es el problema en su pueblo?’ I present them with such important issues as streets, lights, medical care, police, water supply and wastewater treatments. I don’t want them to focus solely on water.”
When Stong gets through the list of needed items, he asks each villager what they would ask for if the government gave the town 100,000 pesos. “I notice that people can prioritize best when you tell them that there’s so much money on the table. I end up at the end of the day with of a rating of the problems.”
Stong is not without his challenges. Although he works for no pay, he requires labor and materials to complete a project, which he requests from the local mayor.
“My basic challenge is that I have to be able to tell the mayor the priority of that village’s needs. He usually wants to put money into something that he thinks will give him (popularity) and make the villagers happy. Each village has their priority need.”
Between being in the field, calculating numbers and translating, Stong puts in 20 to 30 hours per week. “I’m very serious about this work.” He then adds with a grin, “This is the happiest chapter of my life.”
Stong is a regular presenter at Open Circle. His talk on Sunday, March 5 at the Lake Chapala Society marks his 15th year, as he presents his annual update on the lake, including the state of the water, fish levels and communities around the lake.