Rainwater Harvesting Expands to Combat Water Scarcity in Mexico

Rainwater harvesting is gaining momentum in Mexico as a key solution to water scarcity, with initiatives led by Liquid I.V., Isla Urbana and Grupo Herdez expanding infrastructure, education programs, and community-based systems to improve access to water in vulnerable regions such as Oaxaca.

Liquid I.V. and Isla Urbana are expanding their reach in Oaxaca through the implementation of new rainwater harvesting systems, the installation of Escuelas de Lluvia (Rain Schools), and the distribution of purification filters, with the goal of strengthening water access in communities facing high levels of water vulnerability. The plan includes interventions in homes, schools, and community spaces across different regions of the state, based on an approach that integrates infrastructure, education, and community participation. In Oaxaca, only 29.2% of households have water access within the home, and 368 of its 570 municipalities face drought conditions.

During 2025, the collaboration between both organizations benefited more than 700 people across five municipalities, with a potential rainwater collection capacity of 1.7 million L/y. Reported results include the implementation of harvesting systems in 11 communities in the Cañada region and two in the Central Valleys, as well as installations in one community center, 15 homes, 7 schools, and 23 domestic systems, all accompanied by training processes. Additionally, 60 purification filters were distributed.

Based on these results, the partnership plans to expand infrastructure and coverage in the state by 2026 through the following actions: implementation of a Rain School in Oaxaca; installation of 11 harvesting systems in homes in San Nicolas Yaxe; 11 Rain Schools in the Cañada and Central Valleys regions; six additional systems in homes in the Cañada region; and the distribution of 100 purification filters.

Liquid I.V. continues to operate its Global Safe Water Access Program, through which it allocates 1% of its brand revenue to initiatives related to access to safe drinking water. The company reports having contributed more than US$4 million to 25 organizations, impacting access to safe water for more than 1 million people, as well as donating over 15 million product sticks in humanitarian aid contexts following disasters.

Simón Sánchez, Communications Director, Isla Urbana, stated that transforming water culture in Mexico is a shared responsibility, in which society, businesses, and government must all be involved to sustainably improve water access for thousands of people.

In line with these efforts, Grupo Herdez, through its Saber Nutrir program, has promoted the installation of rainwater harvesting systems. In 2025, the program implemented 33 new projects, including the installation of four cisterns. In total, it has provided 289 cisterns in communities across the State of Mexico (183), Yucatán (75), and Jalisco (31).

In Mexico, rainwater harvesting systems are becoming a viable alternative to strengthen access to drinking water, especially in rural and peri-urban areas where supply may be limited or irregular, according to INEGI. Through infrastructure such as cisterns, it is possible to collect and store water during the rainy season for later use, ensuring reserves during periods of lower availability.

On average, each cistern can capture between 20,000 and 40,000L/y of water, depending on regional climate conditions, providing support for daily needs and encouraging responsible water use. Additionally, collected water can be integrated into productive projects such as home gardens or poultry farming, strengthening local initiatives focused on food security and sustainable resource use.

Rainwater harvesting also promotes a culture of environmental stewardship by advancing solutions adapted to local conditions and encouraging sustainable water management practices.

“Grupo Herdez reaffirms that sustainability is not a parallel effort, but the model through which we operate. Through the tangible results of Saber Nutrir, we demonstrate that investing in community water infrastructure is the most direct path to ensuring social development, strengthening Mexico’s agricultural sector, and securing the future of our food traditions,” the company stated.