Mexico Project

Clean Water Foundation

MEXICO PROJECT

Mexico has been facing water problems due to five main challenges: scarcity, pollution, conflicts over water, environmental deterioration of basins and aquifers. 

In 2018, renewable waters totaled 451,585 million cubic meters — more than enough to cover the country’s entire surface. Groundwater is essential for Mexico, with 757 hydrographic basins, as 39% of national uses depend on them. 

For the resident’s, having water is the most incredible luxury. It is also one of their significant expenses. 

When the stored water in the cistern runs out, they buy jugs at 1,120 pesos a month (the US $ 60), while the income of some families barely reaches 6,000 pesos (the US $ 320).

It is the story of not only the capital but the whole nation. Mexico has been facing water problems for the following reasons:

Most of the water consumed in urban areas throughout the country comes from groundwater. Still, in the central and the northern regions, it is prevalent for the capacity of the aquifers to be exceeded. 

In the Valley of Mexico, this problem has caused water to be extracted from greater depths, aggravating the subsidence of the land.

The cities of Bajio also need to pump deep water, but due to the soil conditions, it can contain significant concentrations of fluoride and arsenic. 

Fluoride can create dental and skeletal fluorosis and decreased cognitive abilities in children. At the same time, arsenic has carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and diabetes prevalence effects.

In México, one of the factors most affecting water related problems is its distribution. Currently, more than 12 million persons lack drinkable water, especially in rural areas.

Water pollution is due to the discharge of domestic, industrial, agricultural and mining residues. Ninety million Mexicans, despite having the infrastructure to receive drinkable water, need to filter their water through domestic purifying systems or buy it at a very high costs from private companies, since purifying plants and distribution networks provided by the government or the individual storage systems do not function properly, thus polluting the vital liquid before reaching the final consumer. This injustice has become a very lucrative business, turning drinkable water into a private good.

In México, one of the factors most affecting water related problems is its distribution. Currently, more than 12 million persons lack drinkable water, especially in rural areas. Water pollution is due to the discharge of domestic, industrial, agricultural and mining residues.

As a rule, you should not drink tap water in Mexico. Generally, the water is purified at the source, but the distribution system may allow the water to be contaminated en route to the tap. Most Mexicans find the idea of drinking tap water somewhat repulsive: they buy water in five-gallon jugs called “garrafones,” which are delivered to their homes (and recycled). Do as Mexicans do and stick to purified water. Some families may have water filters installed in their homes, but this is not the case for most Mexican families.

One of the many schools in Mexico will have clean drinking water now