Mexico City, September 23, 2024.– Coca-Cola Mexico Foundation (FCCM) and Bepensa, as part of the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry (IMCC), together with their allies Rotoplas and Isla Urbana, presented the initiative, "Schools with Water", which, through the installation of Rainwater Harvesting Systems (SCALL), allows schools with limited access to water to have this resource and store it for dry seasons.
Through this initiative, the FCCM and Bepensa, as part of the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry, strengthen their commitment to not only facilitate access to a basic resource, but also help train and empower future generations on the importance of water and its responsible use. This is done through workshops and committees that involve students, teachers, and parents to ensure a lasting impact on school communities across the country.
Since its launch in 2021, the "Schools with Water" initiative has installed 319 SCALLs in public schools from elementary to high school, improving access to water in areas and regions where climate and infrastructure conditions pose a challenge for the continuous distribution of local water supplies.
At the launch event, held at one of the beneficiary schools in the State of Mexico, Rodrigo Feria Cano, Director of the Coca-Cola Mexico Foundation, commented: “Schools with Water” is our leading initiative, and we are excited to share its achievements. To date, we have provided access to water to more than 100,000 students. They have not only learned to use the resource responsibly but have also sought to share this information with their families. We know this is just the beginning; we will continue working and joining forces to achieve a greater impact on this issue.”
Lourdes Semaan Bissar, representative of the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry, confirmed that during the 2024-2025 school year, the initiative will have reached 30 states in Mexico, helping to reduce the water access gap in the country's public schools. This will provide nature-based solutions that aim to significantly contribute to ensuring schools do not close due to lack of water.
Bepensa will be participating in "Schools with Water" in conjunction with FCCM, partners, and authorities in Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo starting in 2024.
Regarding the benefits of installing these systems, Ana Paula Mejorada, Director of the Urban Island Schools program, commented: “Each Rainwater Harvesting System (SCALL) collects between 500,000 and 1 million liters of water for a year. Thanks to this, the school can ensure a continuous supply for three to five months. The system's design allows us to ensure that the water that reaches the supply tanks is completely safe for handwashing and toilet use.”
Thanks to Rotoplas technology, Alejandro Segovia Ramírez confirmed that: “The SCALLs include a satellite flow meter that will allow real-time monitoring of both the amount of water being collected and any operational issues they may encounter. This allows us to ensure optimal operation and, if necessary, prompt intervention to repair a problem.”
"Schools with Water" is possible thanks to the combined efforts of the Coca-Cola Mexico Foundation and the eight Mexican Coca-Cola bottlers: Arca Continental, Coca-Cola Femsa, Bepensa, RICA Corporation, Colima Bottling Company, Nayar Bottling Group, del Fuerte Corporation, Nogales Soft Drinks, along with Jugos del Valle and Santa Clara; and their partners.
