In a world where over 2 billion people still lack reliable access to safe drinking water, rain remains a paradox: it falls abundantly during brief periods, yet is quickly lost without trace. This disconnect between natural availability and human access reflects one of the most persistent structural failures of rural water supply models. The climate crisis intensifies these extremes: more intense but less frequent rainfall, longer dry seasons, and communities trapped in hydric uncertainty. In this context, harvesting rainwater is no longer an alternative—it is a necessity.
This project transforms that urgency into opportunity. In the rural community of El Portoncito, located in San José municipality, Bolivia, a Community Rainwater Harvesting System (CRHS) was implemented to supply 30 rural households. The system collects water from rooftops, stores it in 3,000-liter tanks per household, and treats it through first-flush diversion, sediment filters and chlorination. What was once an idle roof is now a device for resilience. The system recovers an average of 48,370 liters per household per year, enough to meet 78% of the basic domestic water demand, while drastically reducing the risk of waterborne disease.
The strategic objective of the project is twofold: on one hand, to reduce dependence on intermittent and unsafe water sources, and on the other, to generate a safe, additional, and traceable water supply. This intervention not only responds to an urgent need, but aligns with a long-term vision rooted in the Water Positive approach: acting where every drop harvested generates real impact in public health, equity, and sustainability. The project’s raison d’être lies in reversing the structural neglect of rural communities historically excluded from formal water networks. Where public infrastructure falls short, a decentralized, community-managed, regenerative solution makes the difference.
The project engages multiple stakeholders with defined roles: the beneficiary community (local governance and maintenance), the technical operator (training, supervision and follow-up), the technology provider (design of modular systems), and Aqua Positive as project developer and verification entity applying VWBA and WASH Benefits Accounting. The project fully complies with the Water Positive principles of additionality (it would not have happened without the intervention), traceability (each household system and water volume is documented), and intentionality (the design has a clear purpose of generating measurable water benefits).
The initial challenge was clear: a rural community with irregular access to water, dependent on unprotected surface sources, lacking formal infrastructure, and with a high incidence of gastrointestinal disease, especially among children. Climate pressure added urgency: prolonged droughts and rainfall concentrated in short periods, leading to flash floods with no capacity to capture or store. The solution had to be decentralized, low-cost, adaptable, and capable of delivering immediate impact in terms of quantity, quality, and health.
The project implemented 30 individual rainwater harvesting systems—one per household—designed to collect, store, and treat rainwater for domestic use. Each system includes rooftop collection, a 3,000-liter tank, first-flush diverter, sediment trap, fine filter, and chlorine disinfection. Collectively, the system provides over 1,451,000 liters of safe water annually, equivalent to the yearly basic consumption of more than 145 people based on WHO standards (100 liters/person/day). This volume doesn’t just represent hydric resilience—it means autonomy, health, and dignity.
The benefits are multiple: reduced time spent collecting water, improved hygiene practices, reduced exposure to contaminants, greater availability during dry seasons, and strengthened community management capacity. Simultaneously, the pressure on unsafe surface sources is reduced and the use of water with biological or chemical contaminants is avoided.
This solution was made possible by the coordinated work of local and external actors. The community co-led the installation process with technical support. The project developer applied VWBA (A-3 method) and WASH BA methodologies to ensure rigorous benefit quantification. The technology provider delivered modular, standardized, and low-maintenance systems. The model is fully replicable in rural areas with rainfall between 800 and 1,200 mm/year and rooftops of over 35 m² of usable surface.
Now is the time to act. Climate change will continue to exacerbate water scarcity and inequality unless we intervene with regenerative solutions. Companies with ESG commitments, water replenishment targets, or social responsibility programs will find in this model a verifiable and high-impact solution. Leading projects like this not only provide reputation and competitive advantage—they position companies as change agents in one of the most pressing crises of our time.
The lack of water in areas such as Raqaypampa, located in the department of Cochabamba, Bolivia, where access to safe and sufficient water is extremely limited, generates deep and interconnected consequences. One of the most immediate impacts is on public health, as families often resort to unsafe water sources, increasing the spread of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and skin infections. Hygiene practices are also compromised, especially affecting vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. In agricultural communities like Raqaypampa, where livelihoods depend heavily on small-scale farming and livestock, water scarcity severely restricts food production, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition. The economic effects are significant, with reduced income and increased rural poverty pushing many families to migrate in search of better opportunities. Social tensions can also rise due to competition over scarce water sources, particularly during the dry season.
Environmentally, the lack of water contributes to the degradation of local ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity, affecting soil fertility and long-term sustainability. Overall, water scarcity in Raqaypampa not only undermines the well-being of its inhabitants but also obstructs progress toward sustainable development, limiting access to essential services like education, health, and dignified living conditions, and perpetuating cycles of vulnerability and exclusion.
The project will be executed in phases, ensuring a well-structured and efficient deployment. The first phase will focus on baseline study and site assessment, which will involve identifying priority households for system installation and collecting climatic and hydrological data to optimize the design of the rainwater harvesting infrastructure. This phase will also include a thorough evaluation of existing water sources to understand the extent of water scarcity and contamination challenges faced by the community.
Following the assessment, the system installation and community engagement phase will commence. This will involve the construction of rainwater harvesting structures, including the installation of collection surfaces, storage tanks, and filtration systems. At the same time, local management teams will be established to oversee system functionality, ensuring that maintenance needs are met efficiently and that the community remains actively involved in water resource management.
The next critical step is capacity building and training, which will ensure that beneficiaries can properly maintain their water harvesting systems. Households will receive hands-on training in system upkeep, while educational programs will promote sustainable water use and conservation. These initiatives will also empower local residents to become advocates for water security, fostering a culture of responsible resource management within the community.
Finally, a monitoring and impact evaluation framework will be implemented to track project outcomes. Regular water quality tests will be conducted to ensure that the collected rainwater meets health standards. Household water consumption trends will be assessed to measure improvements in water accessibility, and system performance will be tracked to identify potential enhancements for scalability and long-term sustainability.
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: Reduces the prevalence of waterborne diseases by providing a safe drinking water source.
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensures access to safe and sustainable drinking water through rainwater harvesting and treatment.
SDG 13 – Climate Action: Increases community resilience to climate variability and droughts, reducing dependency on vulnerable water sources.
The project will be executed in phases, ensuring a well-structured and efficient deployment. The first phase will focus on baseline study and site assessment, which will involve identifying priority households for system installation and collecting climatic and hydrological data to optimize the design of the rainwater harvesting infrastructure. This phase will also include a thorough evaluation of existing water sources to understand the extent of water scarcity and contamination challenges faced by the community.
Following the assessment, the system installation and community engagement phase will commence. This will involve the construction of rainwater harvesting structures, including the installation of collection surfaces, storage tanks, and filtration systems. At the same time, local management teams will be established to oversee system functionality, ensuring that maintenance needs are met efficiently and that the community remains actively involved in water resource management.
The next critical step is capacity building and training, which will ensure that beneficiaries can properly maintain their water harvesting systems. Households will receive hands-on training in system upkeep, while educational programs will promote sustainable water use and conservation. These initiatives will also empower local residents to become advocates for water security, fostering a culture of responsible resource management within the community.
Finally, a monitoring and impact evaluation framework will be implemented to track project outcomes. Regular water quality tests will be conducted to ensure that the collected rainwater meets health standards. Household water consumption trends will be assessed to measure improvements in water accessibility, and system performance will be tracked to identify potential enhancements for scalability and long-term sustainability.
The Rainwater Harvesting Project for the Community of Raqaypampa represents a sustainable and cost-effective solution to address the water crisis in the region. The project aims not only to provide an immediate solution to water scarcity but also to establish a long-term framework for efficient water resource management. By integrating technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and community participation, this initiative will ensure that the community gains access to a resilient and self-sufficient water supply system capable of adapting to future climatic and demographic changes.
A fundamental component of this project is its holistic approach to water security. While the rainwater harvesting system serves as a primary intervention, the project also fosters behavioral change and promotes sustainable water use practices among the local population. Community members will be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to maintain and optimize their water systems, reinforcing their ability to manage resources independently.
The initiative also contributes to broader regional and environmental benefits. By reducing dependence on overexploited groundwater sources, the project will help maintain ecological balance, mitigating soil degradation and preserving local biodiversity. Moreover, by reducing reliance on expensive and energy-intensive water supply methods, such as trucking or distant boreholes, the project will promote a more cost-efficient and energy-conscious water distribution model.
Over time, the implementation of this approach will contribute to a more sustainable and climate-resilient water management system, ensuring that the community remains protected against prolonged droughts and fluctuating weather patterns. Additionally, the project’s success can serve as a replicable model for other rural communities facing similar water challenges, showcasing how localized, nature-based solutions can effectively combat global water scarcity issues while fostering long-term social and environmental sustainability.
