The Problem

1) The U.S. - Mexico border, spanning 2,000 miles, is home to approximately 13 million Latinos, Immigrants, and Migrants living in Colonia communities who lack access to basic resources, one being clean and safe drinking water. Sadly, many even live without adequate plumbing (hot or cold running water, a shower/bath, or a flush toilet).

2) By 2060, the water demand along the U.S.-Mexico border will rise by 22%.

3) 60% of Latino, Immigrant, and Migrant residents in Texas Colonia communtites live around or below the poverty line and cannot afford to pay for clean water.

4) Census data indicates that across the U.S., the average income in predominantly Latino unincorporated areas is 40 percent lower than the average income in predominantly white unincorporated areas, making it harder for these communities to deal with water quality issues.

5) If the U.S. - Mexico border region were considered a state, the region would be comprised of the following characteristics: 1) rank last in access to health care; 2) second in death rates due to hepatitis; 3) third in deaths related to diabetes; 4) last in per capital income; 5) first in the number of school children living in poverty; and 6) first in the number of uninsured school children. Access to clean water would help turn these statistics around for the better.