Day Zero: study proposes alternatives to prevent Mexico from running out of water

As we reach this day, local authorities are forced to drastically ration water supplies.

Day Zero refers to the moment when a city or region faces the reality of running out of drinking water due to a severe drought or poor management of water resources.

To this day, local authorities are forced to drastically ration water supplies, limiting access to only essential needs such as drinking and cooking. This situation highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure and the need to implement sustainable policies for water management.

Mexico has accumulated 4 years of drought and according to data from the National Water Commission (Conagua), drinking water reserves are close to 45%, while the Cutzamala System, in charge of supplying the Valley of Mexico, is below 30%.

In Mexico City, in 2019 the Rain Harvest Program was launched, which consists of installing rainwater collection systems in homes located in areas that suffer from a shortage of this resource, according to a recent Senate study. of the Republic.

Other measures have consisted of sectorizing the hydraulic network to repair leaks and implementing a rehabilitation program for wells in the Lerma System and some located within the city itself.

The research by the Belisario Domínguez Institute (IBD) concludes by pointing out that “Day Zero”, beyond a date that raises alarm and concern, could be considered a call to accelerate the change towards a water sustainability model that can make effective the human right to water.

Through various actions ranging from the promotion of water culture and investment in infrastructure projects, to more radical measures such as rationalization and fines for waste, the world’s main megacities seek to confront the water crises that affect millions of people. .

These measures seek to avoid the feared “Day Zero”, according to a study by the General Directorate of Legislative Analysis of the Belisario Domínguez Institute (IBD).

The research, titled “Challenges and strategies of megacities to avoid Day Zero”, was prepared by Itzkuauhtli Benedicto Zamora Saenz. The study points out that all megacities face a growing demand for water, although their geographical characteristics, historical trajectories and institutional arrangements in water management vary significantly, which influences their solution strategies.

In Tokyo, for example, a “Water Conservation Plan” was created in 1973 with a 30-year horizon, which has allowed water waste to be reduced to 2%. Currently, Tokyo focuses on ensuring supply during earthquakes and advanced wastewater treatment for reuse.

The Shanghai government has prioritized improving the quality of wastewater discharges into surface water bodies through increased treatment infrastructure. On the other hand, in São Paulo, water rationing has been implemented, especially during the dry season, as palliative measures in recent years.

The IBD study concludes that “Day Zero”, rather than being an alarming date, should be considered a call to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable water management model that guarantees the human right to water.

Why Mexico is experiencing a water crisis

Mexico is at risk of reaching Day Zero due to several combined factors. Among the most significant are:

Climate change has caused extreme variations in precipitation patterns, resulting in frequent and severe droughts in various regions of the country.

The constant increase in population has increased the demand for water in urban areas, especially in cities like Mexico City.

Many of the hydraulic infrastructures are old and have significant leaks, leading to considerable loss of drinking water.

Overexploitation of aquifers and the lack of effective conservation policies have exacerbated water scarcity.

Pollution of rivers and lakes by industrial and domestic waste reduces the amount of water available for human consumption.

Source: infobae