Rainwater harvesting: Independencia Aquifer 2026

Objective

Continue the rainwater harvesting program using cisterns and ecological dry toilets in rural communities of the Independencia Basin to improve health and quality of life through sustainable water and sanitation solutions:

• Support the construction of 60 household cisterns and 20 ecological dry toilets, with active participation and self-construction by the beneficiaries.
• Provide the necessary resources through educational and practical training: a 3-day course on water, a 5-day pilot training session on cistern construction and a 1-day educational session on dry toilets, followed by monitoring and evaluation.
• Achieve the ultimate goal of reducing exposure to groundwater contaminated with arsenic and fluoride, promote sustainability and foster community well-being for 480 direct beneficiaries (average household size: 6 people).

Project design

Construction of rainwater harvesting cisterns and ecological dry toilets, as well as the participation of beneficiaries in educational activities and additional programs offered by our partner organization, the Agricultural Development Center (CEDESA).

Beneficiaries

480 direct and 2,600 indirect beneficiaries.

Sustainability

Since 2009, the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende Midday has been working in more than 50 rural communities within the Independencia Aquifer to provide families with a safe source of water through rainwater harvesting. Approximately 1,500 rainwater harvesting systems have been built, but there are still thousands of families without access to a safe water supply. Municipal authorities have refused to acknowledge or address these problems.

Rotary has taken the lead in helping families solve their water problems by providing education, training and building materials, so that families, working in groups, can build their own rainwater harvesting systems capable of providing them with safe water for drinking and cooking year-round. They also receive ongoing support from the club and its partner organization, the Agricultural Development Center (CEDESA).

Partner organizations

• Agricultural Development Center (Centro de Desarrollo Agropecuario, A.C. – CEDESA)

Monitoring and evaluation

Pending.

Implementation year

2026