Unlike electric motors, turbines cannot be damaged by hard use and cost nothing to operate. Since such a turbine was not available, we decided to design one at Campo Nuevo. The Campo Nuevo 'Watermotor' is the result
.At our demonstration site, the 'Watermotor' produces ample power to run a variety of machines.Water pressure is obtained from a source l8.3 m. (60 ft.) above the Watermotor.
Apart from woodworking, we also are using the 'Watermotor' to charge batteries and run an air compressor. The Campo Nuevo waterpower demonstration site is located near the village of Coroico, about 3 hours east of La Paz. This area produces coffee, citrus, bananas, and other tropical products. The inhabitants are indigenous Aymara speakers, generally impoverished and under great economic pressure. Many are being forced to relocate to a high, desolate over-sized village called El Alto, near La Paz, Bolivia's capital, just to survive. We would like to help these people to remain in their communities and maintain their ancient and unique culture and economic independence. The productive use of this area's enormous waterpower resources would help to do this.