PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Sweetwater is a nonprofit water consulting business that is Christ-centered, Biblically-grounded, and prayer-fueled. We currently offer the following services:
Water Sampling and Analysis
Following the strictest standard operating procedures, Sweetwater staff can collect and transport water samples to the nearest facilities equipped to perform the appropriate tests. Results of the tests are then analyzed according to the goals of the project using the statistics appropriate to the sampling design. Some analyses require whizz-bang technology, some do not. Regardless, the final reports Sweetwater produces for you will be clear, concise, and practical…not just nifty graphics.
Natural Resource Evaluations
When Sweetwater enters a community we don’t see what is lacking, we see what God has provided: water, soil, plants, animals, and all of the processes that bind these building blocks together in an ecological system. In addition to mining published information regarding the natural resources of our clients, we will lean on knowledgeable locals as guides to ascertain the names, uses, and geographic distribution of native plants and animals. Climate patterns, animal migration patterns, and agricultural practices will all be taken into account as Sweetwater takes an inventory of the resources available in our client’s community.
Basic and Applied Water Research
Sweetwater can design and implement research that is basic and/or applied. Whether you want a simple description of the state of things or want to test practical tools, we can customize a project to fit your needs. We will always strive to work within the means of our clients. If the project is descriptive and requires water sampling, we can train citizen scientists in sample collection protocols to empower them to produce their own reliable and useful datasets. If the project requires the development of innovative tools to test pH, we can test the accuracy and repeatability of tools that use compounds from local soils for evaluating the pH of stream water.
Design and Evaluation of Holistic Water Strategies
Sweetwater can design an integrated, God-honoring, people-loving, nature-sustaining water management program that is culturally appropriate. The program will be structured so that local communities can confidently manage their own water resources from the watershed’s point of entry to its point of use without dependence on outside technology and money. Sweetwater wants to ensure long-term success of the strategy agreed upon by our clients and learn from the strengths and weaknesses of the strategy identified over time. Periodic evaluation of the strategy will be conducted to benefit Sweetwater, our clients, and all those who would learn from our successes and failures.
Education and Training in Appropriate Water Technology and Best Practices
Sweetwater wishes to train the trainers, teach the teachers. Are you a Peace Corp volunteer seeking training in water assessment using appropriate technologies? Are you a Christian mission agency with community development projects around the world and wish to conduct a week of training in holistic water strategies? Sweetwater can design training programs customized to meet your needs.
Practical Support to Community Leaders for Program Implementation
We will provide resources and training to gifted local leaders in our client communities so that they, and those they train, can be local sources of information on water testing, implementing watershed strategies, and experimenting with new water management technologies.