Juan Perez Mendez

Mexican chemist who developed affordable water purification systems for rural communities

Juan Perez Mendez (b.1978) pioneered the Agua Clara filtration system in 2001, a gravity-fed water purification technology that costs 70% less than traditional methods. His breakthrough came after years of research in Chiapas villages where 60% lacked clean water access. The system uses locally sourced materials like sand and gravel, requiring no electricity - a critical factor in remote regions. By 2005, Perez Mendez's team had installed 120 systems in Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, serving over 150,000 people. His 2003 paper "Low-Cost Gravity Filtration for Rural Water Systems" became a standard reference in environmental engineering. In 2007, he co-founded Acequia Solutions, a nonprofit that trains community members to build and maintain systems. Perez Mendez' 2010 collaboration with UNESCO produced the Water4All initiative, expanding his technology to 23 countries by 2020. His TED Talk "Clean Water for All" (2012) highlighted how his systems reduce waterborne diseases by 90%. Perez Mendez' innovations inspired the 2015 UN Sustainable Development Goal 6, and his team's 2018 solar-powered version now serves 3 million people annually. His Community Water Stewardship Program trains 500+ leaders yearly through his foundation.