The traditional approach to providing water in an urban or suburban context is a hard-engineered centralized system of water treatment and distribution from the point of treatment
There are many small rural communities, that are remote, isolated, and with relatively small populations who lack access to adequate water and sanitation. For these communities, hard-engineered systems are neither a reality today nor are likely to be in the near term
The term “colonias” officially refers to unincorporated communities near the US/Mexico border that lack basic infrastructure, such as potable water, and electricity. Colonias share many of the characteristics listed above for small rural communities lacking adequate water and sanitation.
The residents in these communities rely on hauled water for their water needs
The “soft path to water” offers an alternative to traditional hard-engineered systems
We define the soft path to water as technologies and practices that conform to the following principles/actions: 1. Reduce water demand through conservation practices or reduced use technologies. 2.Increase and improve water supply through use of local sources and/or treatment at a local level. 3. Collect, treat, and reuse wastewater at a local level
Rainwater harvesting is an ancient water supply approach that can be overlooked. Rain is a free source of high-quality water that can be used inside and outside the home
For households that have limited water supply, rainwater harvesting can reduce the burden of hauling water
W.L. Hargrove, Nayeli Holguin, Chilton L. Tippin, and Josiah M. Heyman. 2020. The soft path to water: A conservation-based approach to improved water access and sanitation for rural communities. J Soil & Water Conservation 75(2):38A-44A. doi:10.2489/jswc.75.2.38A