The water crisis in Mexico has become an urgent challenge affecting millions of people in the country. From Mexico City to metropolitan and rural areas, the scarcity of clean water is a growing threat that requires immediate attention and effective solutions. In this article, we will explore the complexity of this crisis and the efforts to address it, from the warnings of academics to government initiatives and investments in water projects.
Mexico City on the brink of the water crisis
Mexico City, with its vast population, is in an alarming situation. According to researchers at the Autonomous University of Mexico (UAM), nearly 43% of its inhabitants lack access to clean water. This crisis has been exacerbated by a 30% increase in consumption during the pandemic and a 40% water loss due to leaks in the network, a result of inadequate infrastructure maintenance.
It is important to note that water scarcity is not limited to the lack of supply but also inadequate regulation of commercial options for water access. Mexico leads the world in per capita bottled water consumption, raising serious concerns about the quality of the water consumed by its citizens.
Senator Monreal warns of the 2024 crisis
Senator Ricardo Monreal Ávila, a former presidential aspirant, has issued a warning about the imminent water crisis Mexico will face by mid-2024. Monreal highlights that the country's 75 metropolitan areas will experience varying degrees of thirst, rationing, and rotational water supply due to drought exacerbated by climate change.
This call to action by the senator is not mere alarmism; it is a call for climate realism. Monreal proposes urgent measures such as desalination of seawater and rainwater harvesting. He also emphasizes that water scarcity is not only a national security issue but also a matter of basic survival and social and political stability.
Mexico seeks solutions through water projects
The Government of Mexico, through the National Water Commission (Conagua), is taking steps to address this crisis. It will allocate a significant investment of 93.55 billion pesos (approximately 5 billion euros) to fifteen priority water projects. These projects include the construction of dams, aqueducts, and irrigation districts.
The aim of these projects is to tackle drought and water scarcity in various regions of the country. Among the projects are the El Cuchillo II Aqueduct in Nuevo León, the Santa María Dam in Sinaloa, and the Benito Juárez Drinking Water Plant in Tabasco, among others.
Future outlook
The water crisis in Mexico is a complex problem that requires long-term sustainable management, ongoing infrastructure investment, and public awareness of the importance of conserving this vital resource. The international community also plays a crucial role in collaborating to address global water challenges. Overcoming this crisis is essential to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
