In recent weeks, the water shortage in Mexico City has become increasingly dire. A drought has plagued the city due to the unusually low rainfall over the past couple of years. Residents of the city have had to adapt to using far less water than they should in order to conserve. The reason behind Mexico City’s difficult situation has to do with the foundation on which it stands. The city was built on top of what used to be a lake, which had been drained centuries before. Due to this location, Mexico City’s principal source of water has been underground aquifers, as well as a number of canals and dams. Years of overuse and expansion have resulted in the city sinking, cutting off many sources of water.
Mexican authorities have implemented rationing plans that limit the amount of water each household can use. Although the amount of water each house may use is far too little for comfort, it is the only way that Mexico City hopes to avoid running out completely. Trucks carrying barrels of water from other regions of Mexico are being brought into the capital and supplying the most affected families. Unfortunately, these trucks sometimes take up to a week to arrive, and simply cannot carry enough water to sustain the needs of the people.
Residents have changed their lifestyle to one of conservation out of necessity. Recycling water in any way possible has become a city-wide habit. Whether it be collecting water from the shower, the toilet, or the washing machine, no one is letting any of it go to waste. Hingham High senior Aerin O’Neill shared her thoughts on the matter, saying “It’s so terrible to hear that such a big city can’t have water security, even though it’s a basic human resource. I hope they can figure out something”. Senior James Feeley had similar thoughts. “It was super hard to learn that a whole city has barely any water. I can’t even imagine having to go through what all those people are right now” he stated.
Mexico City will continue to cut back on its water usage for the foreseeable future as local governments work towards a solution.
