Isla Urbana Foundation

The Problem

Having access to clean water is a basic human right. Water improves both the individual and social well-being. Yet, access to water is becoming more and more difficult. Almost 884 million people around the world lack access to clean drinking water. In Mexico City alone, over 8 million residents suffer from inadequate water supply, many of them wait weeks and even months for a single drop of clean water to drip from the faucet.  In the rural areas, families walk for hours just to get the daily supply of clean water for the home.  At school, lack of water denies children the right to an education.  Water is life.  Further, many women give birth at home, often without access to clean water and toilets, exposing themselves and their babies to infections.

About Isla Urbana

Our mission is to provide access to clean water to people living without it by implementing innovative water saving technologies in low income communities in Mexico City and surrounding areas.  Isla Urbana is a non-profit organization that believes water scarcity is far too common and unnecessary; there is a simple solution.

The Solution - Rainwater Harvesting Systems (RWH)

We invented a low cost, easy-to-install rainwater harvesting system that captures rainwater, filters it and dispenses clean water directly into the water lines/faucets. These RWH systems provide a family with 50% of their annual water need.  Isla Urbana’s RWH systems are low-cost, installed in about one day, easy to maintain, and provide clean water for all household uses.

Progress to Date

• 1,700 Rainwater Harvesting Systems installed
• 12,862 Individuals with access to clean water
• 140 Million liters of rainwater harvested
  
  

Contact Information

 

David Vargas

david@islaurbana.org

214-517-8792