Playa del Carmen Clean Water Issues

In this region of Mexico, tap water is not drinkable. While the city water is treated and safe to wash and bathe with, it is not considered safe for drinking. Most people in Playa del Carmen drink and cook with bottled water from 20-liter jugs delivered regularly to their homes. 

But not everyone is so fortunate. 

A critical issue facing many children and families is access and affordability of safe drinking water. As Playa del Carmen grows, its most vulnerable residents are pushed to its margins - areas with no city water, no electricity, no sewage or septic systems and no water delivery services.

Families living in marginalized communities or settlements are tasked with traveling some distance to exchange their empty water jugs for full jugs or paying a considerable markup to small private providers who can access the more remote communities. 

Without access to clean water, children are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases, which can lead to serious health issues and disrupt their education. A child at home sick from drinking contaminated water means extra money is needed for medical attention and treatment. If a parent needs to stay home to care for the child, this means going without work and essential income.

Seaside Rotary Takes Action

Safe water improves the health of children and reduces the burden on families who otherwise might have to rely on expensive bottled water or risk using unsafe water sources.

Seaside Rotary installs water purification systems (along with power sources and sewer systems if needed) in marginalized communities within our area of service, Solidaridad.

We have installed clean water filtration systems in several schools where there was little or no access to safe drinking water.   

To reduce the risk of theft or vandalism and to ensure that people are keeping an eye on the systems daily, our water purification modules are installed in secure areas of the schools and access is monitored.  

Water filtration systems need a power source.  In areas with no access to electricity, we have also installed solar-powered systems so that children and families can have an uninterrupted supply of fresh, clean water.

Any system failures or maintenance issues are managed by local businesses that support Seaside Rotary’s efforts to help local communities.

By collaborating with school administrators and small local businesses, Seaside Rotary has been able to more effectively identify specific needs and implement sustainable solutions that have a lasting impact on vulnerable communities. These centralized and safe water filling stations have a profound impact on the children, their families and the community as a whole.