Mexico City Water Supply In Peril
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Mexico City Water Supply In Peril

Photo by:   Cuartoscuro, Expansión
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Pedro Alcalá By Pedro Alcalá | Senior Journalist & Industry Analyst - Thu, 03/26/2020 - 17:43

Mexico City’s water supply should not be a major problem for city officials, considering the city sits on a former lake bed that enjoys an expanded rainy season which often creates floods. Water shutdowns and unofficial distribution methods in neighborhoods with less supply infrastructure sadly continue to be common occurrences. Unfortunately, Mexico City residents’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the availability of this basic resource. This is especially true considering that the No. 1 widely publicized line of defense against the virus’ spread is the frequent washing of hands and social isolation, which means staying home. Both of these actions have represented a burden on the city’s water system, prompting city Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum to begin taking measures to address the matter. 

Sheinbaum said today to El Universal that her government is putting together a program for immediate response to this issue. This includes coordination between the Mexico City Water Systems (SACMEX), the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) and the government of the State of Mexico (partly because large areas in the Mexico City metropolitan area are under that state’s jurisdiction and because of the infrastructural and sourcing role that the State of Mexico plays in guaranteeing Mexico City’s water supply and circulation). One of the main interventions that will be taking place will involve bringing back online any wells that are currently decommissioned or not working  but that at some point supplied water to Mexico City´s neighborhoods, particularly those in the Gustavo A. Madero and Azcapotzalco municipalities. These actions have now been made more urgent by the fact that a heat wave is expected to hit the city in the next 72 hours. 

Water availability can quickly become a socioeconomic issue for millions in the city. As reported by Expansión this week, citizens who for any reason lose or get limited their access to public water resources at their home must use purchased drinking water to wash their hands.  

Photo by:   Cuartoscuro, Expansión

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