Olea Cohen
This project shows how UX Research can guide public policy by revealing the lived experience behind sustainable technologies—and how context shapes adoption.
Adoption of Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Two years after the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in low-income neighborhoods, the Tlalpan Environmental Directorate commissioned this study to evaluate long-term user adoption. The systems had been distributed through a government sustainability program, but there were concerns about whether they were being used effectively—or at all.
“Should we continue donating systems? Or are they being abandoned?”
This was the key question posed by the municipality. Our goal was to understand if beneficiaries still used the systems, what barriers they encountered, and how daily habits and perceptions influenced sustained use.
Research Challenge
Research
Objectives
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Evaluate long-term adoption and identify key drop-off points.
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Understand the sociocultural, technical, and behavioral factors affecting use.
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Provide actionable recommendations to improve future interventions.
Methods
We combined qualitative and quantitative methods to capture a comprehensive picture:
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300 surveys across five neighborhoods
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5 in-depth interviews with system users
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3 focus groups to uncover collective perceptions
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Field visits to observe systems in context
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Timeline: 2 months of fieldwork + 1 month of synthesis
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Partnered with: Dirección de Medio Ambiente, Alcaldía Tlalpan
Key Findings
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Adoption was inconsistent: Some systems were abandoned due to technical complexity or lack of support.
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Perception mattered: Some users saw the systems as “poor people’s infrastructure” or a temporary fix.
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Behavioral change was critical: Success depended on users developing new habits around rain collection, filter maintenance, and seasonal routines.
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Community influencers played a key role: Adoption improved when local leaders championed the technology.
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DIY skills helped: Users with prior experience in home repairs adapted better.
Recommendations
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Train local facilitators to provide follow-up and troubleshoot problems.
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Redesign user manuals with clearer visuals and localized instructions.
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Promote collective maintenance networks to support knowledge exchange and build ownership.
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Emphasize co-responsibility and contextual adaptation rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
They never came back to check on us after the installation.
I’d like a larger storage tank. For example, during the rainy season it fills up quickly. But other than that, the system works very well.
My kids clean the system, yes, because honestly, I’m afraid of falling—I don’t climb up there. And for the cistern, you need to be agile to get down through that little opening, and I just can’t do that anymore
Impact & Implementation
Findings were presented to municipal authorities and NGOs working in water sustainability. We delivered a roadmap outlining how to combine technology distribution with ongoing training and governance.
Outcomes:
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The municipality allocated new funding for post-installation support.
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Follow-up visits and community liaisons were introduced.
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Reported increase in system use and long-term engagement.