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Water, collected from the plazas of Xaman Pilar, flows down into the depression and exits west into the aguada or reservoir. Drainage plans of Xaman Pilar must have been carefully constructed with this aguada in mind. Those tightly enclosed plazas do not collect any water, even during torrential downpours. Instead, water is siphoned away to become the population's water supply. while the aguadas at El Pilar no longer hold water, many sites across the Maya forest interior still collect water, even after 1000 years of neglect. Modern lumberjacks and archaeological survey teams depend on these ancient Maya aguadas for water over the long dry season. These water collection spots provide dependable water sources when the rains stop. The name of El Pilar comes from the collective of the Spanish, Pila. |
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| The aguada can be seen clearly from the western side of Plaza Faisan. This reservoir is rectangular, measuring 50 x 45 meters (164 x 140 feet) and about 4 meters (12 feet) deep, and could hold more than 2 million gallons! The ancient Maya originally quarried limestone from the bedrock here to build structures. They then lined the quarry with clay and plaster to keep the water in the aguada. On the far side is a spillway that channels excess water down through the lands below to the northwest. | |
| An additional aguada can be seen from the Royal Vista as you look to the east. This aguada is presently obscured with secondary growth and is seasonally wet but can no longer hold large quantities of water. Houses were found distributed among forest-gardens to the east of this aguada. |  |