1 March the 19, 2009 Rainwater Harvesting in Rural Schools in Mexico Rainwater Harvesting in Rural Schools in Mexico José Antonio Rodriguez Tirado Deputy Director General for Planning National Water Commission of Mexico Istanbul, Turkey 5 th World Water Forum

2 Water in Mexico

3 Rainfall Average annual rainfall is 772 mm (30.4 inches). However, we have major differences throughout the country. Baja California Sur: 176 mm (6.9 inches) Tabasco: mm (95.4 inches)

4 Population growth in Mexico Between the years 1950 and 2008, the population of the country has quadrupled. Today 23% of the population lives in rural areas.

5 The case of a school in the municipality of Rayon Rural high school with 200 students. Roof area of approximately 1500 m 2

6 The case of a school in the municipality of Rayon The retrofitting of the roofs of the school. 4 geomembrane tanks with a capacity of liters each. Water free urinals, water saving devices in washbasins. The installations of solar cells for providing the energy to pump the water from the geomembrane tanks to the roof tanks. A key element in this project was the installation of an ecological committee formed by the students.

7 The case of a school in the municipality of Rayon

8 The three key components In close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health this type of project can help to improve the lives of many people, not only by conserving water, but also by improving the overall conditions of the schools.

Thank you very much, José Antonio Rodríguez Tirado Deputy Director General for Planning National Water Commission of MEXICO

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