Mexico's Water Crisis: Reservoir Levels at Historic Lows in 2023

At the end of 2023, the distribution flow to a large part of the Valley of Mexico was reduced due to low reserve levels. (Photo: Cuartoscuro)

The National Water Commission (Conagua) reported that at the end of 2023 the filling level of Mexico’s reservoirs is approximately 53% of its capacity while the dams of the Cutzamala System, responsible for providing water to Mexico City and part of the State of Mexico is barely above 40% due to insufficient rainfall in much of the country.

For this reason, in the last weeks of last year there was a reduction in the flow of drinking water to part of the Valley of Mexico, while authorities look for alternatives to satisfy the demand for the liquid in the metropolitan area.

Given the panorama that the Cutzamala System faces with the worsening of the drought in much of the national territory, the Mexico City Water System (SACMEX) made an investment of 900 million pesos to try to rehabilitate the old wells in the center of the country, in order to guarantee the capital’s population an equitable supply of water.

In recent days, the version began to circulate that the Cutzamala system only has reserves to cover the demand of the Valley of Mexico until August 2024, however, this information has not been corroborated by official authorities. In addition, the new rainy season is expected to arrive in May of this year, which would help improve storage levels in the El Bosque (Michoacán), Valle de Bravo and Villa Victoria dams (both in the State of Mexico).

Aspects of the Valle de Bravo Dam, one of the three main dams of the Cutzamala System, which is close to 40% of its capacity. PHOTO: CRISANTA ESPINOSA AGUILAR /CUARTOSCURO.COM (Crisanta Espinosa/)

In the State of Mexico, Conagua drilled a deep well and three works were completed to strengthen the distribution systems to various locations in 14 municipalities, with an investment of 65.6 million pesos, in coordination with the state government.

The General Technical Subdirectorate of Conagua highlighted that until December 19, 2024, the level of the 210 main dams in Mexico, which together have the capacity to store 92% of the water in the country’s reservoirs, is at 53%.

So far during the current administration in Mexico City, a total of 960.43 million pesos have been allocated to combat any reduction or adjustment in the supply of water from the Cutzamala and Lerma Systems, which supply a good part of the liquid distributed in Mexico City.

From 2019 to 2022, work is underway on the wells of the Lerma System, in order to conserve and balance the water supply in the city. While in 2023, 509 million pesos were allocated to the rehabilitation of 58 wells operated by SACMEX, as well as the reconditioning of two water treatment plants and the construction of a pumping plant in the Lerma System.

Well drilling work is being carried out in the Lerma River area. PHOTO (Wikipedia)

In 2024, it is planned to invest 319 million pesos in the replacement of 11 wells operated by the Agency, as well as in the rehabilitation of 41 wells and two water treatment plants, in order to guarantee the supply of water to the capital’s population.

For its part, Conagua pointed out that, in addition, it addresses the problem of drinking water supply in the eastern area of the Valley of Mexico and the area of influence of the Felipe Ángeles International Airport, so it also invests in infrastructure to improve the service. in these areas.

It is estimated that in Mexico there are six thousand 321 dams, which are the responsibility of CONAGUA, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), private users, state and municipal authorities; Of that figure, 2,200 are storage units that supply the districts and irrigation units.