Jacob Fripp, a current Chemistry Ph.D. student, traveled to Los Chagüites, Nicaragua, over Spring Break to embark on a service trip with the Texas A&M chapter of Engineers without Borders. Fripp led the water quality and purification sector of the program due to his chemical expertise.

In order to prepare for the water quality and purification projects, Fripp purchased a portable colorimeter that can detect both free and total levels in chlorine in solution. He also used pH probes, total dissolved solids meters, biological pathogen screens, and various dip strips that accounted for nitrate, nitrite, water alkalinity, and hardness. With the use of the materials, Fripp was able to determine that the community's well water was contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria from an ineffective filtration method that they had in place.

With the new system of water filtration, Fripp and the rest of the Texas A&M chapter of Engineers Without Boards were able to improve the local community by purifying the water source, reduce illnesses, and improve their quality of life.

We are proud of Jacob using his scientific knowledge and skills to help others around the world!