ECO International brings a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving.
ECO International’s programs reflect its multi-disciplinary capabilities, primarily in the fields of engineering, science, economics and law.
To learn more about our programs generally, click on the links at right.
To better understand our multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving, investigate the Representative Projects described below.
Earthquake Response – People’s Republic of China
On May 12, 2008, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Wenchuan region of Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China. ECO International partnered with the Oregon Fujian Sister State Association to assist the Sichuan Environmental Protection Bureau to assess drinking water supplies for the displaced population. Major donors included Murray, Smith and Associates, ECO Motion, Octaxias Company LLC and The Environmental Compliance Organization LLC. The Portland Water Bureau provided critical technical support in developing analytical protocols and calibrating the SRI 8610C Gas Chromatograph donated to Sichuan EPB.
Spill Response – Khabarovsk, Russian Federation
On November 13, 2005 a massive spill in Jilin, China introduced an unspecified mixture of toxic chemicals to the Songhua river, a tributary of the Amur river from which Khabarovsk, Russia, gets 75% of its drinking water supply. Downriver impacts were slowed by winter’s ice but the citizens of Khabarovsk braced against the “spot” of contamination heading towards their city the following spring. ECO International partnered with the Portland Khabarovsk Sister City Association to provide immediate real-time water quality assessments and to improve Khabarovsk’s drinking water system generally. ECO International’s and PKSCA’s joint response included sponsorship and management of an exchange of Portland Water Bureau and Khabarovsk Vodokanal (literally, “water canal” company) engineers and chemists, a wide variety of technology transfers including donation of an SRI Technologies Gas Chromatograph with dual PID/FID detectors to the Khabarovsk Vodokanal with related training, and in-water investigation and characterization of residual contamination. Funding was provided by the City of Portland Water Bureau, the Portland engineering firm Murray Smith and Associates, the Trust for Mutual Understanding, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – Bugiri, Uganda
Bugiri, Uganda is as poor a region as exists on the African continent. Christians, both Protestant and Catholic, live and govern side-by-side with Muslims in a society that still adheres to tribal culture. The two main income sources, outside of the “government class” funded almost entirely by international aid, are subsistence farming and prostituting children. A decrepit water system serves the municipality and a separate system built in the 1970’s for the regional hospital was not functioning in June 2012 when ECO International partnered with The Rotary Foundation to rehabilitate the hospital drinking water supply. ECO International continues its service in Bugiri through its Country Director Edwin Osibo. Edwin has rebuilt and maintains the hospital’s sanitary infrastructure (e.g. toilets, drains and disposal pits), builds or rehabilitates drinking water wells and rainwater collection systems for outlying schools and health clinics, and generally finds other ways to help his community with ECO International funding. ECO International will accept and transfer 100% of funds donated specifically to support Edwin Osibo’s work in Bugiri.