Lifetime clean water for Tarahumara Community

Rainwater Harvesting: A Nature-Based Solution for the Tarahumara Mountains

At CAPTAR A.C., we believe that every drop of rain can become a source of life, health, and hope.
For over twenty years, we have worked hand in hand with Indigenous and mestizo communities in the Sierra Tarahumara, Northern Mexico, to guarantee their human right to safe water through the installation of rainwater harvesting and storage systems.

Nature-Based Solutions (IUCN)

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) are actions that protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems to address societal challenges effectively and adaptively.

Rainwater harvesting perfectly fits this definition because it:

• Uses natural rainfall cycles without depleting groundwater sources.

• Reduces erosion and supports local water recharge.

• Helps families adapt to droughts and changing climate conditions.

• Strengthens community organization, knowledge, and resilience.

Each system built by CAPTAR honors both traditional wisdom and environmental innovation, showing how nature can offer sustainable answers to human needs.

2024 Achievements

During 2024, with the support of our strategic partners — JCAS, FECHAC, Rotary International, CF Energía, Fundación Grupo México, Fundación Alpura, Fundación Index Chihuahua, and Cinemex — we achieved remarkable results:

Each system captures around 25,000 liters of rainwater per season, which means that in 2024 alone, over 10 million liters of clean water were made accessible to families in remote mountain communities.

Environmental and Social Impact

Rainwater harvesting systems do more than provide water — they change lives.
In many Tarahumara villages, women and girls used to walk several kilometers daily to fetch water. Today, clean water is available right next to their homes, giving them more time for education, family, and well-being.

Through our community workshops, families also learn about:

• Water care and hygiene practices.

• Environmental protection.

• Local leadership and collective responsibility.

Every drop of water harvested represents a step toward equity, health, and dignity.

Strengthening Our Capacity

In 2024, CAPTAR improved its operational capacity through the acquisition of new technology and a transport trailer, allowing our team to reach more communities efficiently and safely.
We also participated in national and international forums such as ANEAS, the National Water Forum Río Arronte, and the Rotary District 6600 Conference in Ohio, sharing CAPTAR’s model as a replicable and scalable example of community-driven innovation.

A Message of Gratitude

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and partner organizations.
Your support transforms challenges into opportunities and brings life to remote villages across the Sierra Tarahumara.

Together, we are proving that nature-based solutions are not only possible — they are powerful, sustainable, and deeply human.

“In the Tarahumara Mountains, every drop of rain becomes a blessing.”

1. Severity of the Shortage

• Extremely low coverage: Only 27% of families in the Sierra have piped water at home, compared to over 97% in nearby cities.

• Climate crisis: 64% of the state of Chihuahua is currently facing moderate to exceptional drought—the worst in 40 years.

• Unequal access: People in the Sierra consume an average of ≈50 liters per day, while urban populations use 327 liters daily.

2. Everyday Realities

• Many Rarámuri and mestizo communities must walk up to two hours to collect water from springs or streams—work that falls mostly on women and girls.

• Available water is often seasonal and stored in unprotected containers, increasing the risk of contamination by bacteria and parasites.

3. Social and Health Impacts Impact Recent Evidence Child health 60% of Indigenous children suffer from chronic malnutrition, worsened by record droughts. Waterborne diseases Acute diarrhea is common among children under five, increasing infant mortality. Family economy Up to 80% of homegrown crops fail during dry years, forcing families to buy food and deepening poverty. EducationTime spent collecting water limits school attendance, especially among girls.4. Structural Challenges

1. Rugged terrain and scattered homes make conventional water networks difficult to install.

2. Climate change projections forecast a 5–6 °C temperature increase by 2090, further reducing surface and underground water.

3. Chronic underinvestment and high levels of Indigenous marginalization affect 5,400 localities across 12 mountain municipalities.

5. The Need for Immediate Action

The combination of low access, prolonged drought, and high child vulnerability creates a silent humanitarian emergency. Programs focused on rainwater harvesting, household-level purification, and community education have proven effective: since 2016, over 5,500 rainwater systems have been installed, benefiting more than 22,000 people—but needs far exceed current capacity.

Conclusion
Ensuring access to safe water in the Sierra Tarahumara is key to breaking cycles of illness, malnutrition, and poverty. With support from the GlobalGiving community, we can expand sustainable solutions—such as rainwater harvesting systems and home filters—to reduce collection time, protect child health, and strengthen the resilience of Indigenous communities facing climate change.