Tlálocquiosco

Tlālocquiosco is a network of water kiosks that offers potable water to the public in exchange for paid memberships or plastic waste.

Long description

Tlālocquiosco is a tribute to the Aztec god of rain and water, Tlāloc.

According to the non-governmental organization ECOCE, 425,000 tons of PET plastic packaging was recycled in 2016 in Mexico. Accounting for an impressive 57%, that still leaves 325,000 tons of plastic waste not being recycled. (source: http://ecoce.mx/files/Informe-ECOCE-2017.pdf)

Tlālocquiosco is a network of water dispensing kiosks which are strategically placed among Mexico’s resident neighborhoods, high traffic areas, parks, stations, and tourist hubs—anywhere and everywhere that people need water. Using compact reverse osmosis technology, the kiosks will tap into Mexico City’s public water system and make it potable. The process will remove toxic metals such as lead, pharmaceutical residues, chemicals, micro-organisms as well as other harmful substances. The kiosks would be solar powered when and where it is possible.

Users have two options to retrieve the water:

1. Membership: Special Tlālocquiosco water bottles could be purchased and pro-rated memberships activated for use by tourists and locals when they will be near the network. The water bottles would have a unique chip that would activate the flow when in place.
2. Plastic Exchange: Local residents would have the option to deposit a minimum amount of plastic waste in exchange for clean drinking water.

The paid memberships and the recovered recyclable materials would fund the maintenance of the kiosks while the plastic exchange would encourage cleaner streets. A locator map, or a dedicated app in a later phase, would direct thirsty users to their nearest god, Tlālocquiosco.

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