If elementary schools were to capture rainwater, they would have a permanent water supply and contribute to making Xalapa a model city for community sustainability, explained biologist Eduardo Aranda Delgado, who developed a project urging the Veracruz Ministry of Education (SEV) to support schools in implementing rainwater harvesting systems.
Xalapa is the second rainiest city in the country, second only to Villahermosa, Tabasco, and yet it lacks a rainwater harvesting program, he lamented.
The member of the Friends of Pixquiac group developed the proposal “Proposal for Rainwater Harvesting in Xalapa Elementary Schools,” which has now been submitted to the State Congress for implementation in the city.
He commented that his project would help address the water scarcity problem that has worsened in recent years in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and around the world.
In this regard, he emphasized the importance of promoting and supporting rainwater harvesting projects through the State Congress and the Veracruz State Education Secretariat (SEV), for the benefit of the student community.
“Xalapa could be a national example in mitigating the water crisis if it adopted rainwater harvesting as a solution. A program of this type would contribute to reducing the city’s demand for drinking water.”
He stated that in this city, few schools have installed structures or roofs in their courtyards in recent years to cover open spaces from direct sun and rain. This is what needs to be done to be at the forefront, and they would be an example to follow in the country.
In this sense, Eduardo Aranda proposes taking advantage of the large sheds already installed in school playgrounds and ceremony areas to collect and store rainwater, which would promote environmental awareness and citizen participation in water management.
Such a measure would bring countless benefits to students, including theoretical and practical learning, fostering conscious and active citizens.
Morena party representative Paúl Martínez Marie presented a draft resolution to the plenary session, urging the Veracruz State Education Secretariat (SEV) to promote and support the installation of rainwater harvesting projects for the benefit of the student community, within its jurisdiction and in coordination with the relevant departments involved in addressing water scarcity.
He pointed out the need to support these projects so they meet the optimal requirements for operation and for carrying out basic activities at their facilities, “which will promote environmental awareness among students regarding the importance of conserving water and protecting the environment.”
This mechanism, he added, would help resolve water scarcity by seeking optimal alternatives through the development and implementation of schemes that provide solutions to an increasingly critical problem.
Source: oem
