CONAGUA, Local Governments Extend Cutzamala System Works

The Cutzamala System, which supplies water to Mexico City and its metropolitan area,  is dealing with a sharp decline in supply. To address this, the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), in collaboration with the governments of Mexico City and the State of Mexico, is undertaking a series of projects to increase the water flow.

In response to the reduced flow from the Cutzamala system, Mayor of Mexico City Martí Batres also announced several actions to protect water sources. This includes reducing flow by 800 L/s starting Jan. 12. 

The water supply for the Mexico City metropolitan area comes from various sources but the Cutzamala System accounts for 25% of the total, according to CONAGUA. Due to droughts affecting the basin over the past three years, CONAGUA, the Mexico City Water System (SACMEX), and the State of Mexico Water Ministry are taking action to optimize the flows supplied by this system.

Water scarcity in Mexico City has worsened yearly due to several factors including rapid urbanization and reliance on external water sources, which exacerbated the crisis. According to SACMEX data, 40% of Mexico City's water loss is due to distribution network leaks.

The measures  taken by CONAGUA aim to ensure the system's continuous operation and prevent a supply crisis. For the past three years, authorities have been working on the development, renovation, and implementation of infrastructure to mitigate the impact of the reduction in contributions from the Cutzamala System, which have led some inhabitants of the Mexico City metropolitan area to turn to alternative sources for drinking water.

For example, CONAGUA is working on wells close to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport to supply the municipality of Ecatepec, State of Mexico. It is also engaging in well replacement and drilling works in Tamal Zumpango, State of Mexico. 

Meanwhile, SACMEX’s "Action Plan for Water Supply Amid Cutzamala Shortages in Mexico City" focuses on improving operational infrastructure, strengthening private sector participation in water supply, and rainwater harvesting in schools, among other actions.

In 2023, Mexico City's government allocated US$43.7 million for a water recovery initiative, aiming to reclaim 1,709L/s and reach a recovery of 39%. In 2024 alone, the government invested US$18.5 million, adding to a US$29.6 million invested in November 2023. This financial commitment aims to recover lost water flow and enhance the city's water infrastructure.

The State of Mexico Water Ministry is working on immediate actions to mitigate the effects of drought in the Mexico and Toluca Valley basins, including well rehabilitation and relocation, improvements in the energy efficiency of hydraulic infrastructure, and social management actions to ensure the proper execution of these measures.

Despite these measures, the Water Organization of the Valley of Mexico (OCAVM) warns that, according to specialists, the dams supplying the Cutzamala System could reach their lowest level on June 26. That day, also known as Day Zero, is considered the day on which there will not be enough water to supply Mexico City's metropolitan area and its close to 23 million people. 

Mexico City authorities have said that once the Cutzamala System reaches this point and water levels are critically low, they will have to cut off water supply for homes and businesses and only provide water for essential services, such as emergencies and hospitals.