With an aim to increase enrollment at the Universidad de Ingeneria Y Tecnologica (UTEC) and a mission towards more sustainable development, the school devised a plan to achieve both. In partnership with ad agency Mayo Publicidad, UTEC showcased an innovative approach to helping solve Lima’s water crisis and recruit more interest in its program. The university installed a billboard that produces drinking water from humidity that advertised solutions towards meeting sustainable development goals.
Lima lies at the northern edge of the Atacama Desert which is a contributing factor to the city’s low rainfall and high levels of humidity. Estimates put 700,000 people without access to clean water and another 600,000 that rely on cisterns. The majority of residents in the region rely on drawing water from a well or from water vendors that raise costs in order to make a profit. Much of the well water is said to be polluted and relying on water vendors is economically unsustainable.
In addition, Lima is among the highest polluted cities in South America as the hills surrounding the city act as a natural barrier, preventing polluted air from circulating. Although recent reports indicate that air pollution in Lima is on the decline, the city’s pollution levels are triple World Health Organization maximum limits.