Our Mission is to improve human health and community well-being through adequate and affordable access to clean water.
Read more about our mission and how we work here.
Who We Are?
Caminos de Agua is a non-governmental organization working to provide open-source water solutions for communities at-risk on our aquifer in Central Mexico and leverage those solutions for others confronting similar water challenges around the globe. Our team is made up of a full and part time staff, plus graduate-level interns, and senior directors and advisers. We’re a mix of Mexicans and international residents, technologists and community organizers, researchers and educators — united by our dedication to public health and welfare. Caminos de Agua is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the U.S. as well as a Mexican Asociación Civil (A.C.).
What We Do
We provide innovative water solutions for communities at-risk on our aquifer in Central Mexico, and leverage those solutions for others confronting similar water challenges around the globe. We employ a unique bottom-up approach to working cooperatively within these communities, and freely share the results of our rigorous testing and analysis of local water supplies. We work in partnership with grassroots community organizations, leading research institutions, government at all levels, and other nonprofits to effect positive change in water awareness, solutions, policies, and practice, in an effort to create adequate access to safe, healthy drinking water supplies.
The Problem
Infographic: Water depletion and contamination in the Upper Rio Laja Watershed. (Click image to enlarge).
Our aquifer is declining at an alarming rate, from 2-3 meters per year – some of the most overexploited groundwater in the world. The primary culprit is industrial-scale agriculture, which uses close to 85% of our water supply to grow produce for export to the U.S. and other national and foreign markets. As a result, community wells are drilled hundreds of meters deep to reach the water table. Every year, more community wells dry up and, in some cases, literally collapse in on themselves. We have seen firsthand how an entire rural community’s water supply can go dry overnight, leaving hundreds of families without any water access.
Our Response
Over the past eleven years, Caminos de Agua has developed a variety of interventions and solutions to confront a complex and multifaceted water crisis that continues to worsen. Affecting most of Northern Guanajuato, our regional water crisis touches seven municipalities in an area of more than 6,800 square kilometers – larger than the size of the State of Delaware in the US – with more than 700,000 people living in it. Additionally, 20 other states throughout the country, impacting over 21 million people, face similar challenges with limited resources and solutions available. To attack the scope and intricacies of our crisis, we have carefully assembled a wide network of collaborators, technological developments, data collection, awareness building efforts, and constantly adapting them to tackle our evolving situation.
Aguadapt
Our ceramic filter has helped provide safe drinking water to thousands in our region and beyond through dozens of partner organizations throughout the country. Recent improvements are making our filters even more versatile for wider adoption by water NGOs and for emergency relief throughout Latin America.
Groundwater Treatment System
Affordably removing arsenic and fluoride is our most daunting technology undertaking. This is a locally acute, globally distributed, public health challenge that impacts 10s of thousands on our aquifer alone, and 100s of millions around the world. We've made excellent progress and are installing our first pilot systems in June/July 2018.
Rainwater Harvesting System
Our rainwater harvesting program supports community processes and leverages volunteer labor. We have helped build hundreds of rainwater cisterns, and are poised to build thousands more. Rainwater gives users control and consistency over their water source, improves community health, and reduces environmental stress on aquifers.
Our Programs
Water Quality Monitoring
IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEMS
Since 2012, we have continuously sampled and tested water quality from rural wells and urban taps throughout the watershed in order to understand the trends and support open data sharing. As of 2021, we have tested nearly 600 sites throughout the watershed and made all of our data publicly available on our online interactive water quality maps.
Research and Development
DEVELOPING CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS
We develop innovative low-cost solutions to technical water quality and scarcity challenges like our Groundwater Treatment System (GTS) to remove arsenic and fluoride from contaminated community water supplies and, Aguadapt – our award-winning ceramic water filter for biological contaminants with the ability to adapt to a wide variety of other water quality challenges as well as be easily utilized for emergency response, water supplies and Aguadapt – our certified ceramic water filter for biological contaminants, which won the Innovation Showcase Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 2019.
Community Implementation
CREATING ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER
We create access to clean water with communities at risk, namely through the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, water filters, water treatment plants, and sanitation solutions. As of 2021, we have created more than 3.2 million liters of rainwater storage, and distributed more than 5,000 water filters, in 78 communities and 30 schools throughout our region as well as greater Mexico.
Education
BRINGING KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS
We raise the awareness of people and communities regarding local and global water challenges through the development of educational materials and programs as well as through other forums and events. Our education programs are not limited to our region. We collaborate with other stakeholders throughout the country, from Chihuahua to Chiapas, to help understand and address our national water crisis.
Advocacy
WORKING TOGETHER FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE
We partner with local communities, NGOs, grassroots organizations as well as municipal and state governments to address severe water quality and scarcity issues as well as participate in national coalitions and networks to try and affect coherent public water policies and management. We collaborate closely with national and international academic institutions to create replicable solutions, based on real-world conditions, for communities most at risk.
Know Your Water
Water Quality Map
(Click on the Image to Open Map)
Water Tips
(Click on the Image to Go to Water Tips)
Water Testing
(Click on the Image to Test Your Water)
Get Involved!
Volunteer
We’re always welcoming volunteers, it is a great way to help us in bringing more access to water to those most in need. Learn more by clicking here.
Donate
Donating is a powerful and easy way to help the partner communities we work with. We’ve created different ways for you to donate. Learn more by clicking here.
Know Your Water
We offer water testing services for private clients, study groups, and community water sources. We charge for our private testing services to cover our costs. Make an appointment or learn more by clicking here.
Spread the Word
We’ve created manuals and other useful information to raise awareness about our water issues and ways you can protect your health or help others. To learn more click here.
Caminos At A Glance
Events
Meet the Team
Our team is made up of a full and part time staff, plus graduate-level interns, and senior directors and advisers. We’re a mix of Mexicans and international residents, technologists and community organizers, researchers and educators — united by our dedication to public health and welfare.
Awards and Recognitions
Meet Our Partners
We work with local communities and partner with leading research and academic institutions globally at the cutting edge of water quality issues.
