2 Nov 2021

According to the WHO, a person requires at least 50 liters of water per day to cover their basic needs. However, in many communities, it’s not possible to reach this ideal amount due to a lack of this essential element; the scarcity of which has worsened because of events related to climate change. 

In order to find practical and easy-to-implement solutions, the Softys Water Challenge international contest was created, promoted by Softys (a CMPC subsidiary,) the Amulén Foundation and the UC Innovation Center. This initiative allowed for the collection of innovative projects seeking to respond to water scarcity in Latin American communities.  The Mexican initiative of Isla Urbana, the winners of the contest, was chosen to be installed in the rural sectors of Lumaco, in the Araucanía Region. 

The initiative consists of a rainwater harvesting system that is installed on the roofs of homes and schools in vulnerable communities. Its purpose is to provide an alternative source of drinking water in an efficient and sustainable manner. The result was, in the commune of Lumaco, the initiative benefited 40 families and 4 community centers, belonging to 7 Mapuche communities in the Reñico and Quetrahue sectors. 

"For us at Isla Urbana, it’s very exciting to see how a technology that was originally designed for communities in Mexico City is now having a positive impact on families in rural areas of Chile. The problem of water scarcity is increasingly present on a global level; however, solutions must be applied locally, considering the socio-environmental characteristics of the community, and, together with the locals, concluding whether the solution - in this case, rainwater harvesting - is an attractive and viable option," says Isla Urbana's Director of Communications, Nabani Vera.

The Amulén Foundation was in charge of conducting a survey of the water situation in the towns of Reñico and Quetrahue in Lumaco commune, with the objective of more accurately identifying the sources of water supply and the water needs of the sector’s inhabitants. 

"After a thorough analysis of the area, looking for the best solution for the locals, it was decided to move forward with the installation of Isla Urbana rainwater harvesting systems: 17 in Reñico (13 homes and 4 community centers) and 27 in Quetrahue. This way, 40 families in the sector will have access to quality water in their homes, so they will no longer depend on tanker trucks for their water supply", said Antonia Rivera, project director of the Amulén Foundation.

Ignacio Lira, assistant manager of Corporate Affairs at CMPC Southern Zone, appreciated this innovative solution. He commented that "we all know water scarcity is a global phenomenon, exacerbated by climate change. Therefore, supporting initiatives such as Softys' is in line with our social projects, because access to water generates radical changes in the quality of life for families and people living in rural communities. 

 

A Mexican Solution for Water Access

"Chaac", in allusion to the Mayan God of Rain, is the name Isla Urbana gave to the innovation that won first place in the Softys Water Challenge competition. A user-friendly system, the Chaac kit is first installed on roofs to capture rainwater. The accumulated water is channeled through a system of pipes, filters and pumps, which first separates the water, filtering leaves and sediments. The model also dispenses chlorine and finishes the process with a purifier that delivers high quality water. 

 

Benefits of Isla Urbana's Rainwater Harvesting Technology

Rainwater has high physical-chemical purity and requires little treatment in a rural context, so it can be used for all household needs, including consumption.

Operation is simple, as is maintenance, and requires little or no energy consumption.

Local labor and materials can be incorporated into the implementation of the system.

In remote communities, it is an efficient and sustainable solution that represents the possibility of water independence for families.

Rainwater harvesting is a free source of water that allows for between 6 and 12 months of continuous supply, depending on the level of precipitation in each location.