Approximately 22 million people live in Mexico City. But the vast city has been suffering from dwindling water supplies for months, with one of the world's most populous cities now facing 'Day Zero', when there will not be enough water to supply its residents. is on the brink of
Last week, local newspaper La Razón de México quoted the Valley of Mexico Watershed Authority as saying that this “day zero” (when the Cutsamara water system will no longer be able to provide enough water for residents) will occur on June 26th. It was reported that authorities are concerned that the outbreak may continue until June 26th. September. According to CBS News contributor Enrique Acevedo, local residents are already struggling to find enough water, with many “going without running water to their homes for days, if not weeks.” The condition is said to continue.
“The city is experiencing water shortages and water management that we haven't seen in at least the last 10 years,” he said. “Gyms here in Mexico City and other public parks have had to start limiting the number of guests showering and using the facilities, as many people used their memberships to use the water in the facilities. did not become.”
Local resident Juan Ortega told Reuters in January that rules introduced to save water included “banning washing cars.”
“The garden or lawn is never watered, only the plants are watered so they don't die,” he says. “We will start reusing the water from the washing machine for watering.”
Toya Sarno Jordan/Getty Images
Arturo Gracia, who runs a coffee shop in the area, said he has had to pay for water tankers to provide water for toilets and other necessities.
“It’s affecting us a lot,” he said. “And I don't think we're alone in this. This is happening in several areas.”
These problems were exacerbated last week as Mexico City battled high temperatures. Mexico City's water system SACMEX announced on February 27 that temperatures were recorded at nearly 85 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Weather Channel, this week is expected to see minimal cloud cover and temperatures near 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rafael Carmona, director of SACMEX, told Reuters it was an “unprecedented situation” due to lack of rain. He said rainfall in the region has decreased over the past four to five years, resulting in insufficient water storage in local dams. He said water shortages across the supply system and large population had created “a situation that has never been experienced by this administration or any previous administration.”
Most parts of Mexico are experiencing some form of drought, with many regions experiencing the highest levels of “extreme” and “exceptional” conditions, the country's drought monitoring agency said. According to the Associated Press, 75% of the country was hit by drought in October, and the country's rainy season doesn't start until around May.
/ Getty Images
Acevedo said that in addition to drought, “improper water management” is also a major cause of the problem.
“There are a lot of underwater leaks. … Some figures say up to 40 percent of the water wasted in the city is due to underground leaks. There are also some residential leaks,” he said.
SACMEX reported multiple breaches in early February and said its suppliers were working on fixes. According to SACMEX, many of these leaks are “caused by pressure fluctuations in the hydraulic network.”
Many point out that wealthy residents are only making the situation worse.
In Valle de Bravo, an area frequented by wealthy people, a giant dam that supplies water to about 6 million people in and around Mexico City is running dry, Reuters reported, as well as hundreds more There are also artificial lakes and dams (some for artificial purposes only). Private land in the area remains buried. Reuters reported, citing government data, experts and local officials, that the dam's capacity is at a historic low at less than 32% of its capacity.
“When I was eight years old, I was happy to see the reservoir fill with water, but now I have to see how it dries up,” Mario Garcia told Reuters.
Valle de Bravo Municipal President Michel Nunez told the agency that it is “very selfish” for people to have private waters “when their families depend 100% on water.”
“We know this is not a local problem. It's not just happening in Valle de Bravo,” Nuñez said. “We understand this is a global water crisis, but this is what we are experiencing here and we are experiencing it up close. Hundreds of families are affected. I'm very worried because I've been receiving this.”
Not everyone believes that “Day Zero” will come soon. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the government could increase water supplies enough this year to avoid such a situation, La Razón de México newspaper reported. He said he was deaf. Other researchers believe it could happen within the next few years.
“It's not like we're close to day zero,” Acevedo said.
