10/28/2026
Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned about sanitation happened a long way from home.
Through Western Colorado University’s Master in Environmental Management program—and a connection made by my professor, Dr. Ricardo Vazquez-Perales—I had the opportunity to work with SARAR Transformación in Tepoztlán, Mexico.
My role was to help map the area in regards to community need parameters. Along the way, I got to learn from an organization helping communities understand different community centered sanitation tools and approaches, and meet some pretty incredible people.
That experience is part of what I bring to Western Sanitation today: curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a belief that this everyday work matters to the people and places we serve.
I’m grateful to Western, Ricardo, and the people who welcomed me into that experience.
— Phil