Water crisis in Mexico
The water crisis in Mexico should be an electoral issue, as there are no proposals surrounding the water crisis in this country.
According to a study by Standard & Poor’s Global (S&P), 11 entities of the country, including Mexico City, would see their growth affected by 2030 due to the lack of water.
While availability has decreased from 10,000 cubic meters to 3,200 between 1960 and 2024, according to the NGO, a significant water crisis in Mexico is looming.
The Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) warned that the water crisis in Mexico should garner the attention of presidential candidates who should seek solutions.
In a report, the NGO highlighted that 61.5% of the national territory is affected by drought, limiting access to water in households in recent weeks.
According to the IMCO, as of January 15th, 1,613 municipalities were experiencing varying degrees of drought, ranging from severe to exceptional, with impacts concentrated in the northern and central regions of Mexico.
“The increase in droughts is a reflection that climate change is already impacting the country. Transformation in precipitation patterns is a reality, as is the rise in temperatures; as evidence, there has been an increase in the average temperature by 1.6°C in the last 40 years,” the organization stated, confirming the water crisis in Mexico.
The IMCO emphasized that there is currently insufficient coordination to address the water crisis in Mexico, as decision-making in the water sector is fragmented among public and private actors, hindering an effective response.
It added that water infrastructure, from dams to pipelines, is considered outdated and deficient, compromising water supply to the population.
According to the IMCO, the average water availability per person has steadily decreased from 10,000 cubic meters in 1960 to 3,200 cubic meters today.
Therefore, it is projected that, if the trend continues, by 2030 it will be below 3,000 cubic meters due to population growth, droughts, and overexploitation.
–Challenges Due to the Water Crisis in Mexico–
In light of this situation, the NGO explained that water management must become a priority for the candidates running for the federal government between 2024 and 2030.
Oscar Ocampo, Coordinator of Energy and Environment at IMCO, emphasized the importance of addressing the modernization and maintenance of existing infrastructure, as well as the utilization of all available water sources.
Ocampo also highlighted the need for accurate data on water availability in the country. Regarding the country’s water infrastructure, he pointed out that the modernization and maintenance of pipelines and sewage systems are crucial to addressing the issue.
He made it clear that there are cases, such as in Mexico City, where the age and lack of updating of pipelines have led to significant water losses through leaks.
Finally, he confirmed that the water crisis in Mexico has significant dimensions.
“We need to say it, we still have time to avoid a catastrophic scenario. It’s not that Mexico is running out of water, it’s that Mexico mismanages water; if you continue to mismanage it, eventually you will run out of water,” he affirmed.
Read more: New regulation for chocolate cars in Mexico.
