Work

Participatory Management of Rainwater in Informal Urban Contexts: Case Study of San Isidro Patios, Bogotá, Colombia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper describes the implementation of a rainwater harvesting and treatment system in an informal urban community in Bogotá, using a participatory methodology based on Service Learning (SL). The project began with a territorial diagnosis and community prioritization of needs, identifying access to water and its quality as the main issue. Together with the community, a system for rainwater capture, pretreatment, storage, and filtration was designed and built, adapted to local conditions. Monitoring of physicochemical and microbiological parameters across different climatic periods showed significant improvements in the quality of treated water, meeting national standards for most indicators. Simultaneously, an educational process was carried out through workshops and hands-on activities, strengthening local capacities and promoting hygiene and water management practices. The analysis highlights the system’s adaptability to climate variability, community ownership, and the replicability of the model. It concludes that the integration of appropriate technology, community participation, and education can effectively improve access to and quality of water in vulnerable urban contexts, contributing to quality of life and sustainable development.

Source: Water

DOI: 10.3390/w17223236

Authors: Camilo Alberto Torres Parra, Yelinca Saldeño Madero, Juan José Castiblanco Prieto, Camila Jaramillo-Monroy, Alejandro Ángel Torres

Institutions: Catholic University of Colombia, Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano

Language: English

Topic: Urban Stormwater Management Solutions

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences