In Jaltepec, a rural community in Axapusco, State of Mexico, water scarcity represented a daily challenge for the community, as families had to depend on irregular municipal water supply, as well as costly alternatives such as water trucks and bottled water to meet basic needs. Schools often struggled to provide safe water for drinking and sanitation, leaving children without access to fundamental resources for learning and well-being. For many women and students, collecting and transporting water consumed valuable hours that could otherwise be spent in classrooms, with family, or pursuing other activities.
Seeking to transform this reality that impacts communities near Valia Energía power plants in the region, and with support from the Actis Acts Programme, the second phase of Project Tláloc was implemented in 2025. The initiative, initially launched in 2024, uses rainwater harvesting and purification systems (SCALL + Cloud’s Néctar Purification Units) to increase water access to communities. In 2025 the support of Actis Acts expanded the project to six facilities: two preschools, an elementary school, two middle schools, and a high school in the community.
These systems were designed not only to capture, treat and purify rainwater but also to build community resilience. In 2025, local committees were trained to manage and maintain the infrastructure, while workshops engaged over 1,192 students and more than 100 teachers. By combining technology with education and governance, Tláloc became a community movement.
By the inauguration in May 2025 of the six new systems, Tláloc had already contributed to changes in daily life in Jaltepec. Schools increased their water storage capacity by the installation of 40,000 litres, raising infrastructure capacity by 58%. The systems now provide a rainwater capture potential of 1.12 million litres annually, as well as being connected to the water network ensuring reliable supply even during dry months, and lowering dependence on costly alternative solutions.
Real flow measures indicate that by June 17, 2025, around 5,454 litres of treated water supported cleaning and sanitation, and 8,131 litres of water had already been purified and delivered for safe human consumption.
The initiative directly benefits 1,297 students and teachers, while indirectly reaching over 4,563 people (representing nearly 82% of Jaltepec’s population).
Project Tláloc also addresses fundamental inequalities by reducing the time women and students spend collecting water, freeing hours each week for education, care, and productive activities. By reducing dependency on costly water deliveries and bottled water, it is expected to help families save money while cutting plastic waste, water truck transportation and associated CO₂ emissions.
Workshops fostered ownership, with students and teachers reporting over 92% satisfaction. For the systems installed in 2025, six committees were formed, composed mostly of women that now lead water management at schools, reinforcing gender equity and strengthening community governance.
With an investment of US$108,847 in 2025, of which half came from the support of Actis Acts, the project, based on current projections, is estimated to provide a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of 5.65, which means that for every dollar invested, the project returns more than five in social, economic, and environmental value.
Tláloc also contributes to Sustainable Development Goals, including:
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – ensuring safe and reliable access to water.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – encouraging resilience in vulnerable populations.
For Jaltepec, rainwater is no longer wasted potential, it is a source of opportunity. Tláloc has demonstrated that simple, decentralised solutions can deliver profound impact when combined with education and community engagement.
As the initiative expands to more schools and communities, Tláloc seeks to provide a more secure water network, promote resilience, help to reduce inequality, and build hope for future generations.
Key Highlights of the six systems installed in 2025:
- +1.12 million litres – Annual rainwater capture potential
- 1,297 beneficiaries – Students and teachers directly reached
- US$108,847 | SROI 5.65 – Investment and social return
- 5,454 litres – Treated water delivered by June 17, 2025
- 8,131 litres – Purified water delivered by June 17, 2025
- 40,000 litres – Added storage capacity (+58% school capacity)
- Rainwater Committees Established (84% women, 16% men)
Disclaimer
The case study and figures above are presented for informational purposes only and were selected to demonstrate the type of investments that Actis will seek to make. There can be no guarantee that transactions with similar characteristics will be available to Actis. There can be no assurance that Actis will be successful in implementing its sustainability plan. Past performance is not a guarantee, projection or prediction, and is not necessarily indicative of future results; actual performance may differ materially from any estimated, projected or forecasted performance.