Citizen Science to Socialise Risks of Drought and Water Pollutions by Open-Source Equipment

Countries such as Ecuador, recognised for their water resources, face challenges due to climate change, exposing the more vulnerable population to significant water issues related to both quality and availability. The Water Resources Management Research Group (WRMR) of the Technical University of Cotopaxi has been working on the project «Citizen Science to Socialise Risks of Drought and Water Pollutions by Open-Source Equipment». We aim to empower citizens to independently operate donated equipment for assessing water quality and quantity, enabling them to make informed decisions to improve agricultural practices. Our natural laboratory is the Upper Cutuchi River Basin, a key water source for farming communities in Cotopaxi, Ecuador. Communities in the upper river basin, emphasising women’s participation, who are primarily responsible for farming activities, have been taking part in the project since September 2024.