Where purpose comes to life: How water and sanitation projects are changing lives across Latin America
Around the world, safe water and basic sanitation remain out of reach for many communities, and we want to change that. With a global presence and vast water management expertise, Wavin’s ideally placed to create a lasting impact on the communities that need it most.
Social inclusion projects in 2024
From the Galápagos Islands to the highlands of Peru, across Latin America, a series of locally driven projects is showing how thoughtful engineering, community partnerships and environmental stewardship can come together to create a lasting impact. Through these purpose-led initiatives, working in partnership with local groups, we’re helping to secure clean water, improve public health and build resilience against climate risks.
In 2024 alone, these efforts improved the lives of over 42,000 people, many of whom reside in hard-to-reach or under-resourced areas. Here’s a look at how we’re helping water to bring life:
Water security in the Galápagos
Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site known for their ecological significance. But despite this status, access to clean, reliable water is a growing concern for residents. At the Galápagos Science Center on San Cristóbal Island, a new rainwater harvesting system is making the most of limited resources.
The installation combines AquaCell 400 units with an integrated bio tank system to capture and treat rainwater for reuse. This allows collected water to be safely repurposed for sanitation and irrigation, supporting the center’s daily operations and the island’s broader conservation goals.
Developed in partnership with CERES (Ecuadorian Corporation for Social Responsibility and Sustainability), the project demonstrates how circular water systems can support both people and fragile ecosystems.
Reclaiming resources in rural Peru
In the remote community of San Juan de Iris, nestled in Peru’s highlands, local farmers often face water shortages that threaten their livelihoods. Working with Aquafondo, Lima’s water fund, a new project has introduced a two-hectare precision irrigation system powered by twin reservoirs, each storing 23,000 liters of water.
This infrastructure is now helping to irrigate over 10 hectares of farmland in Pairiactaa, dramatically improving water efficiency and crop reliability for the surrounding community. Beyond the technical benefits, the system empowers residents to manage their resources, reduce dependency on inconsistent rainfall and plan agricultural activity more effectively.
Restoring dignity in São Paulo
In Jardim Pantanal, one of São Paulo’s most vulnerable urban neighborhoods, families often live without access to safe sanitation or functioning bathrooms. That’s why Wavin teams in Brazil have partnered with Moradigna, a local organization committed to restoring dignity through home renovation.
The collaboration has transformed kitchens and bathrooms for families in need, with volunteers from both organizations working side by side. For residents like one mother of three, the impact was immediate: “I didn’t have a bathroom or a shower. I really needed this. I can’t put it into words; I just have to say thank you.”
These renovations not only improved hygiene and comfort but also made homes more resilient against flooding, addressing one of the most significant climate-related risks in the area.
Cleaner water for Colombian communities
In Colombia, access to clean water remains inconsistent in many rural and outer-urban areas. Through a partnership with Agua Somos, Bogotá’s water fund, efforts are now underway to upgrade hydraulic networks across the upper basin of the Bogotá River.
The initiative combines technical expertise, high-quality components and financial support to improve local aqueducts, benefitting over 9,000 residents in neighboring municipalities. As local partner Yuli Cristina Cuervo Gonzalez, leader of the Pelagatos Subachoque aqueduct in Santa Rosa, explained: “This kind of support is vital. It guarantees the quality products needed to deliver crystal-clear and clean water.”
Supporting schools in Guatemala
For students and teachers at La Polvillera School in Guatemala, access to water is unpredictable at best. On some days, the taps run dry just hours into the school day. When the pump breaks, there’s no water at all for drinking, hand washing or flushing toilets.
To address this, a new rainwater harvesting system has been installed in collaboration with Funcagua, Guatemala’s water fund. The setup captures, stores and redistributes rainwater for daily school use, helping to keep water provision constant and provide a more stable learning environment.
Crucially, the project also turns water into a learning opportunity, teaching children how to care for natural resources and understand the value of sustainable systems.
Small systems, big impact
From community-scale irrigation to decentralized water treatment, these projects are all focused on creating solutions that are practical, replicable and rooted in local needs. While technology plays a vital role, the real power lies in our partnerships with municipal water funds, grassroots organizations and local governments. As we’ve seen on countless projects, when we work together, we can deliver smarter, fairer outcomes where purpose comes to life. Each initiative is a reminder that infrastructure isn’t just about pipes and tanks. It’s about people. And when purpose is embedded in the design, the result is not only improved access to water and sanitation, but healthier, more resilient communities. Watch the video below for all the stories.