Marriage Between Technology and Humanity | Dylan Terrell | TEDxSanMigueldeAllende

TL;DR

Camino De Agua works to improve access to clean water in Mexico through innovative technology and community partnerships.

Transcript

as you can probably tell by my accent I'm originally from the US from Indiana to be precise where I went to University and I studied 20th century Eastern European history so I think you can see all see that I'm clearly qualified to be standing in front of all of you today talking about water issues here in central Mexico now I come from a family th... Read More

Key Insights

• 💪 Living and working in the same location helps Camino De Agua create a stronger bond between technology and the communities they serve.
• ❓ Developing technologies that are independently verified and used by the organization themselves ensures the effectiveness and relevance of the solutions.
• 💦 Collaborating with grassroots organizations and community leaders allows Camino De Agua to address water issues based on the communities' identified problems.
• 💦 Water contamination in Mexico is not limited to pathogens; emerging chemicals pose a significant threat to water supplies and public health.
• 🥺 Over-exploitation of groundwater in Mexico has led to the contamination of water sources with naturally occurring arsenic and fluoride.
• 💦 Industrial agriculture is a major cause of water contamination in Mexico, affecting both the quantity and quality of water.
• 💦 Accessible treatment options like boiling water and simple filtration methods cannot effectively remove chemical contaminants like arsenic and fluoride.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are some of the challenges faced by Camino De Agua in their water development projects?

Camino De Agua has faced challenges such as disconnection from the communities, developing technologies that are relevant and affordable, and finding sustainable solutions that address emerging chemical contaminants.

Q: How does Camino De Agua collaborate with communities to solve water issues?

Instead of directly entering vulnerable communities, Camino De Agua partners with grassroots organizations and community leaders to define the water problems. They listen to the communities' needs and work together to find solutions.

Q: What are some of the chemical contaminants affecting water supplies in Mexico?

Chemical contaminants such as arsenic, fluoride, lead, and synthetic chemicals from industrial runoff and pesticides are polluting water supplies in Mexico. These contaminants have harmful effects on human health and require innovative solutions for removal.

Q: How does Camino De Agua address water quality monitoring and community education?

Camino De Agua has a water quality monitoring program that tests sites and makes the data publicly available. They also prioritize community education, ensuring that communities are informed about their water quality and understand the risks and solutions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Camino De Agua was founded to address water issues in Central Mexico by creating a stronger bond between technology and the communities they serve.

• The organization focuses on living and working in the same location, developing technologies that are independently verified and using grassroots organizations to define the problems.

• Water contamination in Mexico is no longer just about pathogens; emerging chemicals like pesticides and lead are also polluting water supplies, creating a crisis that needs to be addressed.