Resiliency through water
How Cántaro Azul and CAWST are transforming communities in Mexico
Access to clean water is not just a necessity, it is the foundation of a resilient, thriving community. For many rural communities in Mexico, however, safe and reliable water remains a challenge. From infrastructure gaps to water contamination, families struggle with inconsistent supply and inadequate treatment options.
One organization is making a difference: Fundación Cántaro Azul, a civil association based in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Their mission is to ensure that schools and rural communities fulfill their human right to water. Since 2006, they have been implementing innovative water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs that empower communities to take control of their water access. After working together for several years, Cántaro Azul officially partnered with CAWST in July 2024. Together, they are building the skills, knowledge, and technology needed to create lasting change.
The challenge: water access, quality, and continuity
In an interview with CAWST, Paulina Musalem Ramos, a technical advisor at Cántaro Azul, described the major water challenges rural communities face.
"There is water from springs and wells, but no pipeline to take the water to homes. Other communities have a pipeline network, but the water isn’t available all day, or even every day," she said.
Beyond accessibility, water treatment is also a significant concern. Many families don’t prioritize disinfection, often because they don’t fully understand the risks of consuming untreated water. Chlorination is widely misunderstood, with some believing it makes them sick. Even when affordable water treatment technologies exist—such as ceramic filters—many communities lack the education and resources to properly maintain them.
"Governments sometimes provide water treatment systems, but they don’t follow up to show people how to maintain them," Ramos explained. "That makes it difficult for families to replace parts or ensure the system is working correctly."
To address these challenges, Cántaro Azul focuses on three things: training, technology and collaboration.
A RWH system and storage tank installed by Cántaro Azul
One of their most impactful projects took place in San Mateo, Las Rosas, Chiapas, last year, where Cántaro Azul installed rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in 55 households, each equipped with a 5,000-liter tank. Prior to this intervention, families spent hours collecting water—an exhausting burden that fell mostly on women.
"Before, women had to walk long distances just to get water. Now, they have more time for other activities, and they’re also learning how to store and disinfect their water properly," said Ramos.
The transformation has been tangible: families now have consistent access to clean water, report improved health, and spend less time on water collection.
Innovation in action: the rainwater harvesting calculator
Beyond implementation, technology is playing a crucial role in Cántaro Azul’s success. Their Rainwater Harvesting Calculator (a joint initiative with Isla Urbana and Neta Cero) helps communities determine how much rainwater they can collect based on detailed data on precipitation levels for a specific region. It allows Cántaro Azul to design customized storage solutions, ensuring that families and schools have enough water to last through dry seasons.
According to Ramos, CAWST has played a pivotal role in supporting Cántaro Azul, particularly through training partnerships to expand WASH education, capacity building in household water treatment and safe storage, and learning exchanges that allow organizations to share standardized knowledge.
"CAWST has very structured methods for training programs. Their standardized approach has helped us strengthen our own capacity as trainers."
Cántaro Azul colleagues installing a RWH system
Progress is being made at the community level and Ramos sees system-wide change as the next step.
"If we can influence change at the municipal and state level, we can make a bigger impact. We’re starting to see some progress—new government programs are looking at protecting watersheds and improving sanitation. This wasn’t happening before."
She also wants Canadian audiences to understand the hidden water crisis in Mexico.
"Most of the water isn’t for the people, it’s for big businesses. Tourists don’t think about conservation because, in resorts, water seems abundant. But in reality, rural communities suffer from scarcity and contamination."
A future built on resiliency
Cántaro Azul and CAWST are proving that resiliency starts with water, and that sustainable solutions require more than just infrastructure. They require skills, education, and long-term collaboration. As this partnership grows, so will the ability of communities across Mexico to access the water they need to thrive.
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