A severe and prolonged drought has pushed Mexico City's vital water system to the brink of collapse, forcing authorities to impose drastic rationing measures that will leave millions of residents without running water.
The city's main water source, the Cutzamala system, is at a historic low of 28% capacity, a dire situation that officials have described as unprecedented. This has prompted the city's water authority to implement a "drastic plan" to conserve the remaining reserves.
Widespread Disruption for Residents
The rationing will see water supplies from the Cutzamala system completely shut off for many areas starting Friday and lasting until Monday. Officials have warned that it will take a further 4 to 5 days after the cut-off ends for water to trickle back through the pipes to the city's highest neighbourhoods, meaning some residents could face over a week without reliable access.
This crisis is not solely due to the lack of rain. The city's ageing and inefficient infrastructure, plagued by chronic leaks, loses an estimated 40% of all water pumped through its network. The problem is further compounded by the city's unique geology; built on a former lake bed, it is sinking, which puts immense strain on and ruptures pipes.
A Perfect Storm of Challenges
Climate change is intensifying drought cycles in the region, making the situation increasingly precarious. The combination of low rainfall, high temperatures, and crumbling infrastructure has created a perfect storm, exposing the fragility of the water supply for one of the world's most populous megacities.
Residents are being urged to store water for essential use only. The government has also announced plans to drill new wells and repair pipelines in an effort to mitigate the crisis, but these are long-term solutions for an immediate emergency.
For now, the people of Mexico City are facing a new, harsh reality where access to a basic human necessity is becoming increasingly uncertain.
