Cancún’s Innovative Water Initiative Transforms Schools

On February 25th, the Governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama Espinosa, unveiled the "Schools with Water" program, a collaboration between the Coca-Cola Mexico Foundation, the Bepensa Group, and the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). The program aims to improve access to water in schools across the region.

The initiative's goal is to install sustainable rainwater harvesting and utilization systems in educational institutions. The launch event was held at José Guadalupe Posada Technical High School No. 35 in Cancún, which is one of 27 schools in Quintana Roo and over 70 on the Yucatán Peninsula set to benefit from the program. The program will introduce Rainwater Harvesting Systems (SCALL), a technology already in use in over 500 schools nationwide. These systems allow for the cleaning, disinfecting, and storing of water for non-drinking uses, such as watering green areas, cleaning facilities, and toilets.

Governor Mara Lezama highlighted the importance of such initiatives in transforming water management in the state and improving conditions in schools. She stated, "Ensuring water access in schools is not just an act of justice but an investment in the development of our children and young people." Rodrigo Feria Cano, Executive Director of the Coca-Cola Mexico Foundation, added that each SCALL system comes with satellite monitoring technology to ensure its continuous maintenance and operation. The program also includes educational workshops for students, teachers, and parents to promote responsible water use.

Agustín Menéndez Reyes, Corporate Affairs Manager of Bepensa, noted that the systems can collect between 500 thousand and one million liters of water annually. This water can be used for crucial activities such as handwashing. He also emphasized that the program encourages water conservation awareness among students and their families.

Amilcar Ganado Díaz, a representative from CONAGUA, praised the program as a successful example of public-private collaboration. He stated that the "Schools with Water" initiative, supported by the Coca-Cola Mexico Foundation, Bepensa, and the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry, demonstrates their commitment to sustainable solutions that improve the quality of life in underserved communities, ensuring water availability for those who need it most.