Perception and Forms of Rainwater Management by Users in a Mexican Caribbean Community

Abstract

Lack of access to safe water sources is a problem in the Mexican Caribbean, particularly in small communities with irregular services. Accordingly, rainwater harvesting (Spanish acronym CALL) could represent an alternative to satisfy basic needs. However, implementation schemes are often vertical and hierarchical. In this study, we provide knowledge on the perceptions and ways of using rainwater, to contribute to decision-making. The information was obtained through ethnographic observations and surveys of 60 household representatives from a sample of 253 houses in the community of Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo. Ninety-five per cent of respondents were foreign, so their perceptions and ways of handling water were heterogeneous, ranging from simple systems (buckets and drums) to complex systems integrated into homes. In general, CALL is positively perceived by the population studied, which would allow its implementation in more structured projects to improve techniques of rainwater catchment in the locality.