Rainwater Harvesting in Urban Settings as a Response to Water Shortages

A third of Mexico City’s population receives piped water only during limited hours and suffers routine supply interruptions, and about one-tenth receives water less than twice per week. Piped water shortages have increased over time and are projected to worsen with climate change. The researcher will study the potential of a roof-based rainwater harvesting system in increasing the quality and availability of water for households that are both experiencing poverty and exposed to water shortages. The implementation agency has identified inadequate maintenance of the system as an obstacle to delivering the full potential benefits of rainwater collection. Therefore, the researcher will explore three different barriers to maintenance adherence: low benefits of the system, cognitive burden in the form of faulty prospective memory, and low returns to maintenance.