Dylan Terrell, founder of the nonprofit Caminos de Agua, has been honored as Citizen of the Year in San Miguel de Allende for his 15-year commitment to providing safe water solutions to rural communities across Guanajuato.
His work has impacted more than 60,000 people through rainwater harvesting systems, treatment plants, and education programs.
Here’s a timeline of Caminos de Agua’s milestones under Dylan Terrell’s leadership, showing how the initiative grew into a regional force for safe water access:
📌 Timeline of Key Milestones
- 2011 – Dylan Terrell arrives in San Miguel de Allende after working on sustainable construction projects in Chiapas. Begins collaborating with local communities on water quality monitoring.
- 2012–2013 – Discovery of arsenic and fluoride contamination in groundwater across the Upper Laja River Basin. This finding shifts the organization’s mission toward developing safe, affordable water solutions.
- 2014 – Formal establishment of Caminos de Agua as a nonprofit dedicated to clean water access. Early prototypes of low-cost filtration systems are tested in rural communities.
- 2015–2017 – Expansion of projects to include rainwater harvesting systems. First large-scale installations begin in San Miguel de Allende and neighboring municipalities.
- 2018–2020 – Development of community-scale treatment plants. The organization adopts a participatory model, training residents to design, build, and maintain their own systems.
- 2021–2023 – Recognition from international organizations for innovative, low-cost water technologies. Partnerships with universities and research institutions strengthen technical capacity.
- 2024–2025 – Over 1,800 rainwater harvesting systems installed. More than 200 rural communities benefit from Caminos de Agua’s solutions, impacting 60,000+ people.
- 2026 – Dylan Terrell is named Citizen of the Year in San Miguel de Allende by the Rotary Club Midday, honoring 15 years of dedication to community-driven water access.
Caminos de Agua’s journey illustrates how grassroots innovation can scale into a regional movement. The next phase will likely focus on replicating its model across Mexico and Latin America, tackling water scarcity with community-led solutions.
Dylan Terrell’s Vision
- He emphasizes that the work is “not really about water, but about community.”
- His philosophy highlights collaboration among residents, organizations, researchers, and institutions to tackle shared challenges.
- Terrell sees the recognition as a testament to collective effort rather than individual achievement.
The award underscores San Miguel de Allende’s growing reputation as a hub for social innovation and sustainable development. Caminos de Agua’s model could serve as a blueprint for addressing water scarcity across Mexico and Latin America.
Source: Periodico Correo
San Miguel Post
