Isla Urbana – Saving from a Rainy Day – Alexandra Posada - Mexico

27-09-2010

It is always inspiring to meet individuals prepared to do something about a challenge, no matter how impossible it seems and that is the story of Isla Urbana, the World Challenge Finalist in Mexico. Enrique Lomnitz went back to his home in Mexico City after an engineering degree in the US and instead of getting a highly paid job in the private sector, he came up with practical, low cost rain water harvesting systems that could help millions in this water starved city. I was amazed that the city spends as much electricity as London does every day just to pump water from 200 kms away. And that water is only enough for 25% of the city's needs! But I was more amazed to see how together with a couple of his US friends, Enrique has actually encouraged the local authorities in the borough of Tlalpan, one of the largest and poorest in the city, to help finance the setting up of 1000 of his systems in the community through his NGO, Isla Urbana. Mexican red tape is legendary and government contracts a labyrynth all to themselves and yet there we were filming the first few days of their self proclaimed water revolution. They installed the first three systems during the shoot, and not more than a month later I hear they have more than 100 systems installed.

Mexico City's 20 million inhabitants go without water regularly and if you live in one of the poorer areas of this mega city you can go entire months without water. Through rain water harvesting, Tlalpan residents not only have what the government hasn’t been able to provide for years, but they now have a new found pride. Isla Urbana's solution was inspiring in its simplicity and in the determination they have shown not to be daunted by the huge task ahead of them.

Posted by Alexandra Posada

Isla Urbana – Saving from a Rainy Day – Jennifer White

21-10-2010

At Isla Urbana we are striving to massify the adoption of rainwater as a reliable and plentiful source of water. Thus, we were very excited to be receiving the BBC World Challenge production crew at the moment when we commenced a new stage of our project during which we are working with the municipal government to fill a region of Mexico City with systems. Documenting and broadcasting our implementation process is an exciting way to be able to show the world how great things can be achieved through grassroots efforts, while gaining acceptance of rainwater as a viable source of water supply.

The production crew got to capture one of our community meetings at which we drink rain water to reinforce confidence in the water quality. The videographer got to meet all of our plumbers at our training course and many community members, who were very excited to see a camera crew in their neighborhood. As Alexandra, the videographer, speaks fluent Spanish, and she was here for a full three days, she got to hear the stories of our neighbor's lives without water and watch as we commenced many installations to provide them with rainwater. Initially the community and plumbers were a little hesitant to be filmed, but because of the the respect and kindness shown by Alexandra, they quickly became more than happy to be included in her footage. We had a great experience with the production crew, and are very impressed with all of the project's videos that we have seen so far. All of the World Challenge finalists are incredible and we wish luck to them all.

Posted by Jennifer White