Manchester City Xylem Rainmakers water sustainability initiative is taking centre stage for World Water Day, with the launch of a new YouTube series highlighting how sport and technology can combine to address global water challenges.
Manchester City and Xylem have launched Rainmakers, a series showcasing real-world projects that improve water access and sustainability in communities worldwide. The first episode focuses on a rainwater-harvesting football pitch in Teotihuacan, Mexico, developed in collaboration with Love.Fútbol.
The project provides both a safe space for sport and a vital new water resource for a community of nearly 60,000 people. Designed to capture, store and reuse rainwater, the system demonstrates how integrated infrastructure can deliver social and environmental benefits.
Manchester City Xylem Rainmakers water sustainability project delivers community impact
At the heart of the initiative is a solar-powered Xylem S1-200 pump capable of supplying more than 27,000 litres of water per day. By capturing rainwater and redistributing it for local use, the system reduces dependence on traditional water sources and improves resilience in underserved areas.
The Manchester City Xylem Rainmakers water sustainability approach highlights how partnerships can translate sustainability ambitions into practical solutions. Beyond infrastructure, the programme also promotes education and awareness around water conservation.
Javier Martin, Head of Brand & Partnerships at Xylem, said: “It is about creating tangible, lasting impact – capturing and reusing rainwater in a way that benefits communities and contributes to a more water-secure future.”
Water efficiency innovations extend to Manchester operations
The collaboration extends beyond community projects. At Manchester City’s City Football Academy, the club has achieved full water self-sufficiency for pitch irrigation using Xylem technologies.
This approach has reduced reliance on potable water and helped safeguard local supplies, with early results indicating savings of approximately 100 million litres over the past two years. The club is also piloting Xylem Vue, a digital platform providing real-time monitoring and optimisation of water usage.
Tom Pitchon, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Manchester City, said: “By blending Xylem’s technology with Manchester City’s community football expertise, we’re increasing access to both football and clean water for local communities.”
Driving global awareness through sport and storytelling
The Rainmakers series forms part of the wider Every Drop Counts campaign, which uses storytelling to highlight the importance of water resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
Through its global platform, Manchester City aims to inspire responsible water use while demonstrating scalable solutions that can be adopted across cities, communities and industries.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the role sport can play in addressing environmental challenges, combining visibility, community engagement and practical innovation.
For more on global water initiatives, visit our Water Management coverage.
