Mexico City, one of the world's most densely populated metropolises with a population nearing 22 million, is grappling with a severe water shortage.
The city is teetering on the brink of a "day zero" scenario, a point at which it will no longer be able to supply adequate water to its residents.
According to a report by local media outlet La Razn de Mxico, which cites the Water Basin Organization of the Valley of Mexico, officials are apprehensive that "day zero" could arrive as early as June 26 and persist until September. The Cutzamala System, the city's primary water supply source, is anticipated to fall short of the demand. Enrique Acevedo, a contributor for CBS News, revealed that many locals are already grappling with water scarcity, with some households going "days, if not weeks, without running water."
Acevedo further elaborated on the gravity of the situation, stating, "There's been water scarcity, water management, in the city that we haven't seen in at least a decade." He noted that public facilities such as gyms and parks in Mexico City have had to restrict the number of guests using their amenities due to people exploiting their memberships to access water.
Juan Ortega, a local resident, told Reuters in January about the conservation measures being implemented, including a ban on washing cars and watering gardens. He said, "We are going to start reusing water from washing machines for watering."
Arturo Gracia, a local coffee shop owner, shared that his business has been compelled to pay for a water truck to ensure the availability of water for toilets and other necessities. He said, "It's affecting us a lot. And I don't think it's just us. This is happening in several neighborhoods."
The water crisis has been aggravated by soaring temperatures in Mexico City. The city's water system, SACMEX, reported on February 27 that temperatures had reached nearly 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The Weather Channel predicts that this week, temperatures could climb to nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit with minimal cloud coverage.
Rafael Carmona, director of SACMEX, described the situation as "unprecedented" in an interview with Reuters. He attributed the crisis to a decrease in rainfall over the past four to five years, resulting in low storage levels in local dams. This, coupled with the city's high population, has created a predicament that is unparalleled in recent history.
The Associated Press reported in October that 75% of Mexico is grappling with drought, with the country's rainy season not expected to commence until around May. Acevedo also pointed to "poor water management" as a significant contributor to the crisis, citing numerous underground and residential leaks.
SACMEX reported several leaks at the beginning of February, attributing them to "variations in the pressures of the hydraulic network." The supplier assured that it was taking steps to rectify the situation.
However, not everyone is convinced that "day zero" is imminent. Mexico's President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador expressed confidence that the government would be able to augment the water supply sufficiently to avert such a crisis this year, as reported by La Razn de Mxico. Other researchers believe that "day zero" could be a potential threat in the coming years.
Acevedo concluded, "It's not that we have a day zero coming up, but certainly we haven't seen things be as bad as they are right now in a while."
Login