In Mexico, access to clean drinking water a major issue -- especially for the people who live in the slums. But a new recycling system may be the solution.

Water access in Mexico City is a huge problem. This city of 20 million people sits on a lakebed that is slowly sinking. Many of its pipes are old and the city's water plants lose 40 percent of its water in transit.  But it's worse for the poor, in which access to drinking water is not even an option and instead rely on water trucks and ration water.

Which is why, a new rainwater recycling system can be a solution for people like 70-year-old Santo Alejandro Dominguez. Despite just being 30 minutes outside of Mexico City, living in the slums, she and her family had to wait once a week for the water supply truck to come.

"Water is like money, if I don't have water how am I going to make food? How will I take a shower? But as the city gets bigger and since we are so high up the water doesn't get here," said Graciela Garcia Robles, housewife.

The new water system from the company Urban Island, recycles and purifies rainwater. Its main clients are the poor who are on the not on Mexico's water grid and those who can afford it's 200-dollar price tag.

With water shortages increasing in poor communities, Urban Island have had their hands full. In the past three months, they have installed over 2,000 water systems for low income families.
 
Using one tank, the rainwater system is able to supply a large family for one year, only if there is six months of rain. The system works in places like Mexico City where they have a heavy rainy season. 

"This problem has been going on for many years but it's getting bigger because there is more people and less water. So, since there is much rain we need to take advantage," said  Santo Alejandro Dominguez, technician of Urban Island.

This new initiative maybe the only way to guarantee water supplies to all of Mexico City's residents especially after last month, when the city suspended water for one week for millions.