By Luisa Ramos | CEO
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.”
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