Scarcity is a Major Challenge
A crisis that can only get worse
Photo by mrjn Photography on Unsplash
While the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is ravaging the world; most individuals everywhere, including here in Mexico, are busy striving to put food on their table as they also try to keep a roof over their head.
Not our wonderful politicians. You know the millionaires that give billions of dollars to Egypt, Israel and tax breaks to themselves. But somehow cannot come to a consensus to help the average individual that is struggling.
They can, however, agree on more market manipulation for the benefit of a very few. In case you missed it, they decided recently to start trading water on the commodities future market. Those great neoliberalism policies.
This decision will only worsen the already existing problem of the lack of water around the globe. Actually, you don't have to go very far because water problems will affect you once you move to Mexico.
How will it affect you? Well, before getting to that, I want to first make sure that you are mindful about how different living in Mexico will be. And for that, I recommend you get ahead of life in Mexico by reading my posts about all our adventures here.
I just want to help because you will have your hands full living in Mexico. For instance, did you know that the majority of neighborhoods in Mexico City are affected by water shortages already? Adding to the problem, water distribution in Mexico will be even more restricted now.
And it begins
Just a bit before the big news hit the airwaves, it was announced that water distribution would be reduced in 13 Municipios of The State of Mexico and 8 Alcaldias in Mexico City. Look into the above post about Mexico City neighborhoods if you are confused about Alcaldias and Municipios. They are must knows.
Continuing on. You should know that it is common for water in Mexico to be limited. There is a reason that homes, buildings and apartments in Mexico City take measures. Mostly because you do not know when or for how long a water shortage will happen.
You will see that it is critical to have tinacos, pumps, cisternas and sensors installed in your choice of residence. For instance, to avoid running out of water in the middle of your bath.
According to Sistema de Aguas de Ciudad de México (Sacmex) and the Comisión Nacional del Agua (Conagua), water distribution will be cut 44 hours a week on the following days:
12 hours on Tuesdays from midnight until 12 p.m.
All day Saturdays, no water will be distributed at all for 24 hours
8 hours on Sundays from midnight until 8 a.m.
Alcaldias affected in Mexico City
Cuauhtémoc
Benito Juárez
Iztapalapa
Iztacalco
Venustiano Carranza
Tlalpan
Miguel Hidalgo
Magdalena Contreras
Municipios affected in The State of Mexico
Atizapán de Zaragoza
Huixquilucan
Naucalpan de Juárez
Nicolás Romero
Tlalnepantla
Cuautitlán Izcalli
Coacalco
Tultitlán
Ecatepec
Tecámac
Toluca
Acolman
Ocoyoacac
These measures will go into affect immediately and if needed, will be extended until the next raining season that begins in May 2021.
Corruption is a problem
It is no secret that corruption is common throughout all of Mexico. I would go as far as saying that 99% of the problems in Mexico arise from corruption.
It has evolved to being expected and I can honestly say that corruption is now a part of the culture in Mexico. Regardless of what you hear, it is something that is taught at home.
That being said, according to authorities, water distribution will be reduced because it did not rain enough this year and dams in Cutzamala are functioning at 65% capacity. However, water will be made available through the distribution of water pipes by private companies.
Where is this water coming from if there is a shortage in Mexico and where is all the excess cash saved through budget cuts? They went as far as forcing government employees to share laptops and not allow them to use fans in the office.
Imagine if only one water plant or recycling plant was built with all those savings. Instead, we wake up to news that towns needed to be flooded to keep dams from overflowing.
Water quality was already bad
Water in Mexico has never been clean enough to drink. In small towns you may find that water is cleaner because they usually come from aquifers or natural springs. The story is a bit different for Mexican cities.
Most cities lack their own water supply. This means they have to depend on third parties for their water needs. Mexico City relies on water that originates from Cutzamala and has to travel about 125 miles to get here.
Like I said earlier, water distribution has always been limited in Mexico. Because of this and due to bad logistics, it should be of no surprise that the quality of water suffers. It has to travel many miles through pipes that are full of gunk and who knows what else because there is no continuous flow of water.
Now, they are going to have full days when water is not distributed at all. Water will sit stagnate in these pipes for an extended period of time. Get the picture? Would you drink water that looks like this?
Because the water in Mexico City is "hard", we were already coming up with creative ways to counter the bad water quality. We spend a lot of time re-washing the egg smell from our dishes and trying to keep our clothes as white as possible.
It will also affect your appliances and your shower will be sparkling white from all the film build up.
Solutions are just a click away
Soon, water will start to be rationed off in all of Mexico. The problem will be aggravated because we have to share the water supply in Mexico.
I believe that water in Mexico will eventually be given to the highest bidder. Most likely it will be foreign governments first, big business second and then, maybe just then, it will eventually reach its citizens.
No worries though. Besides my posts, you can read our "short story" and get useful information to prepare you for your new life in Mexico City. We talk about simple measures that help with water problems that can be taken the instant you start looking for a place to live in Mexico and much more.
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