Mexico City, Mexico
Nestled in the hills surrounding Mexico City’s sprawling limits is Quiltipec eco-village, home to around 100 people. Confident in their desire for an off-the-grid, self-sustaining existence, the village’s founding members built the community from the ground up despite sustained pressure from political interests and others vying for the land. Access to Quiltepec is difficult, with the steep ascent best attempted on foot or with a sturdy vehicle. The community works with Isla Urbana, a social enterprise using rainwater harvesting systems to combat Mexico’s ongoing water crisis, in their sustainability efforts. Many members of the community have purchased rainwater harvesting systems from the organization, as well as other eco-technologies like biodigesters, solar heaters, solar dehydrators, and biofilters for gray water treatment.
