Water Detectives

In Matamoros, Mexico, a severe water shortage led to a one-of-a-kind solution: The city put local children in charge of changing adults' attitudes and habits. Thousands of schoolchildren were enlisted as "water detectives." Educated about resource conservation, they were encouraged to discuss proper water usage with adults and were authorized to give "tickets" to transgressors seen to be wasting water. The municipality followed up by fixing leaks and visiting homes. The result? Matamoros lowered its water consumption by nearly 20 percent in just one year!