The water crisis in Mexico City, particularly the frequent water cutoffs in CDMX and its surrounding neighborhoods, seems to be an ongoing issue. If you reside in any of these areas, it’s essential to stay informed and prepared. The city is facing a significant challenge with its water supply, and the situation appears to be getting worse.
New Water Cutoffs in March: Understanding the Reason Behind the Intermittent Supply
Mexico City is grappling with a substantial obstacle – water scarcity. The region has been experiencing a cyclical drought for several years, which experts consider a high-risk situation. As a result, water cutoffs are becoming more frequent, affecting an increasing number of neighborhoods. In fact, a total of 284 neighborhoods will face water supply cutoffs. The primary objective is to recover the city’s water sources, such as the Cutzamala System.
The water distribution will be intermittent and rotational, starting in March with specific schedules for each area. This decision is driven by the alarming reality that over 40% of the city’s water consumption comes from distant sources that require maintenance due to the drought. The city’s infrastructure is facing numerous challenges, including aging primary and secondary networks that are over 60 years old, leading to frequent leaks, breaks, and saturation, ultimately resulting in water crises.
Affected Neighborhoods: Which Areas Will Experience Water Cutoffs in March?
As mentioned earlier, 284 neighborhoods will be impacted. If you live in any of these areas, it’s crucial to check if your zone will have scheduled cutoffs or rotational supply:
- Álvaro Obregón: Xochiac, Santa Rosa, Rincón de la Bolsa, Pueblo de San Bartolo Ameyalco, Paraje el Caballito, Lomas del Capulín, Lomas de la Era, Lomas de Chamontoya, Cedros (Lomas de los Cedros), Caballito, Chamontoya, Ampliación Torres de Potrero, Torres de Potrero, Alcantarilla
- Coyoacán: Pedregal de Santo Domingo, Pedregal de Santa Úrsula, Nueva Díaz Ordaz, Ajusco, Adolfo Ruíz Cortínez, Cuajimalpa
- Gustavo A. Madero
- Iztapalapa
- Magdalena Contreras: Vista Hermosa, San Francisco, San Bernabé Ocotepec (Pueblo de San Bernabé), La Cruz, El Rosal, El Ermitaño, Barros Sierra, Barrio Plazuela del Pedregal
- Tláhuac: Selene, Santa María de los Olivos, Peña Alta, Jaime Torres Bodet, El Rosario, Ampliación Selene, Ampliación José Portillo
- Tlalpan: Cumbres de Tepetongo, Cruz del Farol, 3 de Mayo
- Xochimilco: Tecomulco el alto, Lomas de Nativitas, La Cañada San Lucas, Barrio la Candelaria (San Gregorio), Alcanfores (Santa María Nativitas)
In these areas, residents will receive a fixed quota while the water supply is normalized. It’s essential to conserve as much water as possible, recycle it, and take advantage of the free or low-cost water deliveries organized by the authorities from time to time.
Water Conservation: How to Save Water and Potentially Receive Free Water Tanks
The water issue in Mexico is a significant challenge that requires drastic measures. There are programs that offer free water tanks to certain individuals living in affected areas. If your neighborhood experiences frequent and prolonged water cutoffs, you can request free water tanks from the authorities.
Additionally, there’s the Agua Bienestar program, which provides potable water at a very low cost for vulnerable individuals. These initiatives aim to mitigate the damage caused by prolonged water cutoffs. To minimize the impact of these measures, the authorities have provided specific recommendations for water conservation, including reusing laundry water, reporting leaks, using water efficiently in daily activities, and promptly repairing leaks in domestic installations. The objective is to create a culture of water recycling and management.
With the scheduled water cutoffs in March and the water tank delivery programs, it’s crucial to stay informed about the official information in your neighborhood to know the specific schedule for when you won’t have access to water services.