Isla Urbana
The Pitch
Isla Urbana installed thousands of rainwater harvesting systems in water-insecure households in Mexico City, improving their quality of life and health and providing more economic and educational opportunities.
The Problem
Mexico City suffers from seasonal water shortages that alternate with periods of flooding. Water scarcity is widespread: 1 in 10 residents lack reliable access to clean water for household use and groundwater stores are extremely limited. Pumping water into the city is expensive.
The Process
- Installed rainwater harvesting systems in households that lacked reliable access to water, predominantly in informal settlements
The Impact
- Installed 7,500 rainwater harvesting systems in water-scarce neighborhoods, benefitting 52,000 people
- Reduced the cost of water services: Rainwater harvesting is a low-cost choice (when compared to standard water services)
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Keeps water in the local watershed
- Helps families achieve gender equality because women no longer need to wait long hours at the water truck and can devote this time to work and other pursuits
- Improves quality of life: When water can be reliably accessed, health issues decrease, children’s performance in school improves and families are better off
