CDMX Declares Water Footprint a National Security Issue

The Mexico City Congress has formally integrated the concept of the water footprint into its regulatory and budgetary planning, declaring it a matter of national security and public welfare. The legislative initiative, led by Deputy Pablo Trejo Pérez, establishes water footprint assessment as a key tool to inform public policy, urban planning, and fiscal allocation. Members of the Finance Committee announced the landmark decision at the Mexico City Legislative Palace on July 31.

Defined across three categories—blue water (surface and groundwater), green water (soil moisture from rainfall), and grey water (polluted water resulting from production processes)—the water footprint methodology is designed to identify critical areas of scarcity and guide targeted interventions. It is expected to help anticipate crises, optimize distribution networks, and prevent supply disruptions in essential public services such as hospitals, schools, and homes.

According to legislators, a core feature of the initiative is the development of a data-driven budget framework. By quantifying the social and environmental returns on investment, policymakers will be able to reallocate funding from traditional infrastructure toward greener solutions—including water reuse systems, rainwater harvesting, and ecological sanitation. These measures are expected to reduce fiscal pressure and prevent unjustified rate increases, generating greater public value and fostering a more sustainable development model.

The legislation also includes fiscal incentives. These comprise eco-tariff blocks, local income or property tax deductions for water-saving projects, and resilience funds financed by penalties imposed for excessive water use. Lawmakers hope these mechanisms will encourage both businesses and citizens to adopt more efficient water consumption practices.