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Our Program Pillars

Rural Projects

In San José Tenango, Oaxaca, the Mazatec region grapples with extreme water access challenges, where a staggering 89.6% of households lack access to public water services.

This lack of infrastructure, compounded by deep-rooted poverty and social marginalization, severely impacts the health, education, and economic future of these indigenous communities. Women and children, bearing the brunt of water collection duties, often see their educational and economic opportunities slip away as a result. To confront these pressing issues, a transformative program is installing sustainable rainwater harvesting systems in homes and schools, offering a lifeline to the region.

The Nanda Jtsi Program, named after the Mazatec word for “rainwater,” empowers the community through the development of tailored technologies and comprehensive training in the installation, maintenance, and repair of rainwater systems. This initiative not only provides immediate relief but also strengthens the local cooperative, Naxo Tojndi, building local expertise and autonomy. By fostering collaboration among certified technicians, cooperative members, and residents—along with the vital support of Isla Urbana’s regional team—the initiative ensures that the community can lead and sustain long-term solutions to water scarcity. The impact of this program reaches far beyond infrastructure; it ignites a path towards resilience, dignity, and self-sufficiency for the Mazatec people.

2019
Date project began
96
Systems installed

This innovative initiative, implemented throughout public schools in Mexico, seeks to provide sustainable water solutions through rainwater harvesting systems.

In a country where 1 out of 4 schools lack access to a reliable and high-quality water source, this program offers a critical intervention. It not only equips schools with the tools and resources needed to capture and use rainwater but also fosters a deeper understanding of water conservation. By educating students, faculty, and parents about sustainable water practices, the program empowers them to become advocates for change, promoting a shift toward environmental sustainability and fostering a new culture of water stewardship within their communities.

With the support of Isla Urbana USA, schools in Nuevo León, Michoacán, Jalisco, Morelos, Mexico State, Mexico City and Oaxaca have benefited from this initiative, ensuring that more students have access to the water they need for daily life and learning. Through these efforts, the program aims to create a lasting impact, transforming the way schools approach water use and conservation while encouraging future generations to lead in sustainable water management.

2018
Date project began
877
Systems installed

Ha Ta Tukari – “Water, Our Life” – is a visionary regenerative water access program dedicated to working with the indigenous Wixarika (Huichol) communities in the remote western Sierra Madre mountains. The program aims to achieve universal access to clean drinking water throughout the Wixarika territory, a vital step toward improving the quality of life for these historically underserved communities. What makes Ha Ta Tukari particularly impactful is its focus on community-driven change. Led by a team of local young people, the initiative prioritizes the development of skills and capacities within the Wixarika community, ensuring that they gain the knowledge and expertise necessary to manage their water systems independently.

The program goes beyond simply providing infrastructure; it fosters a sustainable, localized approach to water management that empowers the Wixárika people to oversee and maintain their water resources autonomously. This ensures that the solutions are not just temporary fixes but long-term strategies that align with the community’s cultural and environmental values. By investing in local leadership and sustainable practices, Ha Ta Tukari is creating a model of water resilience that can serve as an example for other indigenous and rural communities facing similar water challenges. Through this holistic approach, the program is helping to secure a future where clean, reliable water is accessible to all, contributing to the broader goals of health, sustainability, and self-determination for the Wixarika people.

2010
Date project began
155
Systems installed

In Yaxe, Oaxaca, where agriculture and mining have severely strained water access, a successful rainwater harvesting initiative, supported by U.S. and Mexico-based organizations, has transformed the community.

Families have become skilled water managers, with residential systems reducing their reliance on overexploited wells. The initiative engages local youth through the Rain Schools program, teaching them vital skills in sustainable water management while fostering environmental stewardship. A standout feature of this program is the pivotal role women play as local water leaders. They are actively involved in system maintenance, community meetings, and follow-up, ensuring the initiative’s long-term success.

This project not only addresses immediate water needs but also empowers the community, positioning women and youth as central figures in driving sustainable change. By building capacity and fostering leadership, the initiative has created a model of resilience, ensuring that Yaxe is better prepared to manage its water resources for the future.

2020
Date project began
87
Systems installed

The initiative in Tlamacazapa, Guerrero, seeks to tackle the pressing water scarcity and contamination issues in the indigenous Nahuatl communities by introducing sustainable rainwater harvesting systems.

Local wells, which are heavily polluted with coliforms, arsenic, and nitrates, have long jeopardized the health of residents, making clean water a critical need. This project provides an essential alternative by ensuring access to safer, naturally filtered rainwater. In addition to supplying clean water, the initiative builds local capacity by training community members in the installation and upkeep of these systems, encouraging long-term self-reliance. By reducing dependency on contaminated wells and minimizing the need to purchase expensive water, the project also alleviates financial burdens.

With a focus on community engagement, this initiative strengthens resilience, while contributing to improved health, economic stability, and a more sustainable future for Tlamacazapa.

2022
Date project began
258
Systems installed

The Rainwater Brigade was born out of necessity following the devastating 2017 Mexico City earthquake, when communities like San Gregorio Xochimilco were left without reliable access to clean water.

Originally focused on deploying rainwater harvesting systems to meet the immediate water needs of those affected, the initiative quickly became a lifeline for disaster-hit regions. Revived in the aftermath of Hurricane Otis in October 2023, which wreaked havoc across Guerrero, the Rainwater Brigade has once again stepped up to address urgent water shortages. In Acapulco and the surrounding areas of Cacahuatepec, families grappling with the destruction of their infrastructure now benefit from the Brigade’s compact and easy-to-use rainwater harvesting and purification technologies. These systems provide a critical solution for collecting and purifying rainwater, offering a sustainable source of clean water in the absence of reliable public services.

The Rainwater Brigade’s efforts not only provide immediate relief to those in need but also equip communities with the tools and knowledge to manage their own water supply in future emergencies. What began as a grassroots response to a natural disaster has evolved into a lasting initiative, ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to clean, safe water even in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.

2017
Date project began
316
Systems installed

San Juan Tlacotenco, a rural indigenous Xochimilca community in the mountains of Tepoztlán, Morelos, faces significant challenges with water access due to its geographic isolation and volcanic terrain, which limits water availability.

While there is some infrastructure for water distribution, it is costly, inefficient, and insufficient, particularly during the dry season. Rainwater harvesting is a vital practice for the community, especially during the rainy season, when residents rely on stored rainwater as their primary water source. To address these challenges, rainwater harvesting systems have been implemented in homes and local schools, where students learn about the importance of rainwater harvesting and local water issues. Isla Urbana continues to work closely with the community to raise awareness and improve water access.

2020
Date project began
30
Systems installed

Urban and Peri-Urban Projects

This dynamic, week-long program invites international high school and university students to immerse themselves in Mexico’s innovative efforts to tackle global water challenges through rainwater harvesting technologies.

Participants gain hands-on experience by actively installing rainwater systems and visiting water-scarce communities, where they meet and learn from local leaders driving change. The program fosters meaningful connections with water advocates and environmental experts, providing valuable insight into the socio-political complexities of water access and grassroots sustainability initiatives.

Beyond the technical focus, students will dive into the rich cultural fabric of Mexico City, exploring historical landmarks and traditions that have shaped local water practices for generations. By the end of the week, participants emerge not only with practical skills and a deeper understanding of global water issues but also with the inspiration and tools to become advocates for sustainable water solutions in their own communities, ready to make an impact on a global scale.

Summer Program
2019
Date project began
11
Systems installed

Since its founding in 2009, Isla Urbana Mexico has been at the forefront of strengthening rainwater harvesting in urban areas, beginning with the installation of the first systems in Mexico City.

Initially focusing on high-rainfall but water-scarce regions in the southern parts of the city, the organization quickly addressed the challenge of unreliable access to clean water due to poor infrastructure and rapid urbanization. This early work laid the foundation for a broader movement, showcasing rainwater harvesting as a viable, sustainable, and decentralized solution to water scarcity. This laid the foundation for rainwater harvesting to become a widespread public policy tool. As the organization gained momentum, Isla Urbana expanded its reach to other major cities, including Guadalajara, Guanajuato, and Monterrey, setting a precedent for large-scale water programs that target urban and peri-urban areas struggling with water shortages.

Isla Urbana’s success has been driven by its ability to form strategic partnerships with government bodies and private sector collaborators, enabling the organization to scale its efforts and reach thousands of low-income households in urgent need of clean, accessible water. These partnerships have facilitated the implementation of widespread rainwater harvesting programs, making significant progress in improving water security for vulnerable communities across Mexico.

For more information about large-scale governmental projects contact Emilio Becerril at emilio@islaurbana.org

2009
Date project began
+37,500
Systems installed

Isla Urbana’s Sales branch has developed a line of autonomous, high-quality rainwater harvesting technologies tailored for private clients.

These systems are designed to be robust, user-friendly, and highly efficient, offering a reliable water supply for both residential and commercial use. This arm of the organization plays a critical role in making rainwater harvesting a mainstream water solution, while also contributing to Isla Urbana’s broader mission of sustainability and water equity.

By combining large-scale social impact initiatives with cutting-edge technology development for private consumers, Isla Urbana continues to innovate and lead in the fight for sustainable water management in Mexico and beyond.

For sales in Mexico and Latin America visit www.islaurbana.mx (Site in Spanish)

Explore our projects

Each pin on the map represents a community where Isla Urbana has brought sustainable rainwater solutions, helping transform lives and the environment.
Click on a location to learn more about the impact we’ve made together.