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Why is this the case? According to Perló, “the resource has been mismanaged.” As the WSJ writes, “In Mexico City when it rains, it storms, but the water mixes with the sewage and cannot be used.” Another reason for this water loss, says Perló, is that “most of the city’s water is pumped from dams up to 125 miles away, and 40% is lost through leaks in pipes and containers.” This means many denizens of the city’s poorest areas do not have sufficient access to water, as a 2018 NPR piece reported.
A New Spin on an Old System
NGO Isla Urbana believes they can help change this unjust system. Under their model of collecting rainwater, pipes take water running off the roof. Then, the system removes leaves and other debris. Next, the water “goes through a patented filter called the Tlaloque 200 before being collected in a tank.” The water that comes out isn’t quite potable but can be if items like a purifier and carbon filter are added on.
According to Grabinsky, “It remains to be seen how durable the system is—an important consideration because maintenance is crucial for good water quality.” This is not the only impediment to the implementation of this system. As the WSJ noted, “One obstacle to broader global implementation of rainwater harvesting is the belief by citizens, health officials and utilities that it is less hygienic than centralized city water systems.” And, of course, none of this is possible if the rain dries up. Nevertheless, this new method of rainwater harvesting could provide a potentially positive outcome for Mexico City’s 20 million residents.
It’s not just men in the fishing sector who are impacted by climate change, overfishing, and COVID-19 — women are too. Women like Alexia Jaurez of Sonora, Mexico, who is featured in this Environmental Defense Fund video, do the important work of monitoring the catch and the price, and most importantly determining how many more […]
Last Friday, the United States formally reentered the Paris Climate Agreement. This is undoubtedly good news but after four years of total climate inaction on the part of the Trump administration as well as other nations failing to meet their commitments, it’s more urgent than ever that the world comes together and gets it right. […]
by Amy Lupica, ODP Staff Writer Yesterday, the Senate voted to confirm former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy. Granholm, who has positive relationships with both Democrats and Republicans, has committed to implementing science-based policy as part of President Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan. In keeping with President Biden’s plan to pack his cabinet with diverse appointees, Granholm […]
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