Low Rain Volumes Impact Dam Capacity

The National Water Commission (CONAGUA), in collaboration with state governments and municipalities, has worked to improve potable water distribution and to unclutter drainage obstacles, as CONAGUA works to revitalize several dams that have levels far below their total capacity. 

The commission presented its weekly report on Mexico’s Hydraulic Works Operation Technical Committee and found that from January 1 to March 12, 2023, the National Meteorological Service (SMN) recorded 38.9% less rain than usual for that period, severely affecting dams throughout the country, according to CONAGUA’s press release. 

CONAGUA’s Technical Sub-Directorate explained that 210 dams in Mexico total 92% of the country’s water reservoirs. CONAGUA warned that those dams currently hold 79.5 billion m3 of water, which represents a worrying 59% of their total capacity. 

The reservoirs of the Cutzamala System (El Bosque, Valle de Bravo and Villa Victoria), which is the largest water supply of the Mexico City metropolitan area, recorded a 48.5% capacity, a decrease of 0.9% against March 6, 2023 according to CONAGUA’s Basin Organization Aguas del Valle de Mexico. 

“The PIAE Management stressed that, from March 4 to 8, it implemented an operation to supply drinking water to the population through tank cars in State of Mexico, after the service was suspended due to a breakdown in the municipal aqueduct that carries water to Nezahualcoyotl. In total, 1.01 billion L were delivered, benefiting approximately 4,200 people,” explained CONAGUA. 

CONAGUA has provided support to state and municipal authorities to improve and reinforce potable water and drainage systems, specifically in Jalisco, San Luis Potosi and Sonora. In six states, eight operations have been deployed to supply 5.3 million L of water to help more than 67,500 people.

Flood risks have been major obstacles for numerous states, as CONAGUA highlighted that actions were implemented in Coahuila, Jalisco and Tamaulipas to clean 124,890m of pipelines and 1,269 manholes. CONAGUA also supported agricultural irrigation programs in Tamaulipas and Queretaro, extracting 959,769m3 of water in 333 hectares.