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Megan Alcock

Mr.Phillips

Ap English

13 December 2018

Water Crisis in Mexico

Imagine not having access to clean water for over forty years. Due to the Mexican

water crisis, many residents struggle with this problem on a daily basis. Kayla Ritter, a young

writer and reporter involved in addressing the growing water pollution issues worldwide,

describes Mexico as “a place of water paradox, where flooding is a constant risk and water

shortages are a constant reality.” Mexico’s growing water crisis in Mexico, due to loose policies

and minimum enforcement of laws, has a direct negative effect on the residents, economy,

population, and political affairs. This water emergency is a vital issue that needs to be addressed.

Believe it or not, Mexico has developed some of the best water regulations in the world,

however, the enforcement of these laws are not being upheld. Many writers have called out the

government in their practice of “getting people to pay political favors” as Gustavo Rodriguez

quoted in an article from Mexperince, a Mexican engineer, says. Instead of working to provide

water to the people of the country as a whole, they seem to solely focus on affairs that would be

beneficial to them. The government’s sole concentration on political and economical gains as

Madrigal, Van Der Zaag, and Van Cauwenbergh, writers of the book ​A Half Bake Solution:

Drivers of Water Crisis in Mexico​, quoted in Jonathan Watts article on ​The Guardian;​ state and

emphasize that politicians attempt to counter the water issue with infrastructural schemes instead

of enforcing already set up water contamination regulations. Rules without proper execution
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continue to allow the growth of Mexico’s major water issue that has plagued the country since

the eighties.

The direct effects of the slack implementation of water laws is evident all through

Mexican residents lives. It’s repercussions affect citizens’ time, ability to survive, and ways of

life. Kayla Ritter interviewed Virginia Josefina Ramirez Garnilla, a resident of the San Miguel

area, who shares her personal experiences due to the water scarcity. Ramirez states, “We wait for

hours to get water that doesn’t last a week, and usually there aren’t enough pipas. Sometimes

there is violence.” This is her and roughly ten million others everyday reality. Valuable time is

wasted waiting for clean water that deprives time that could be spent towards children’s

educations and adult’s jobs. As people are required to spend their time attempting to gain access

to clean water, they lose valuable time that could be used finding and attending their jobs. The

unemployment rate in Mexico is exponentially fluctuating ,which has a direct correlation to the

water crisis, and therefore has affected Mexico’s economy. Nevertheless, the government

continues to stand back and watch this problem cultivate.

Not only does this problem concern the country's economy, it has also caused

devastating ramifications on the Mexican human population. According to Michael Wolfe, a

professor at Stanford University and an author of a book dedicated to the water crisis, countless

Mexican citizens have been poisoned and/or killed due to the water in one of the major cities as

the government has done little to nothing to stop the water contamination. This issue has already

claimed hundreds of lives and continues to increase each and every day making this a

devastating problem that requires a quick solution.

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Additionally, political tensions between Mexico and the U.S are heightening due to the

United States involvement in the water shortage. According to Wolfe, “The United States

government has also played a role by neglecting to invest in border water infrastructure, a

violation of the U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty of 1944.” A treaty between Mexico and America that

was signed in an attempt to allocate and manage water utilization between the two countries. In

the treaty, the major rivers flowing near the border are protected and controlled and thus has

created a greater competition for clean water. As population growth increases, the need for water

along the border has a direct relationship and thus increases as well. America’s neglect in turn

has caused thousands of mexicans near the border to have little to no access ,as the population

exponentially grows, to clean water suitable for drinking and other necessary purposes.

Specifically, Trump has played a vital role in worsening the water problem by choosing to

consider building a wall on the border instead of designating sufficient funds needed to help

remedy the water scarcity. However, Wolfe states that the drugs and cartels attempting to cross

the border have a less impact than that of the water crisis which in turn is exacerbating the two

countries political tensions.

Nonetheless, there is major controversy over the Mexican water crisis. Many have

contradictory views on whether or not the water is potable. Some say that the water is suitable

for drinking while others state that it is not even safe enough to brush your teeth with, therefore

the water cannot be trusted(Mexperience). Even so, most would agree that the problem,

regardless of one’s personal opinions, would agree the problem needs to be addressed. Through

rainwater collection, ensuring the appropriate usage of water, helping fund different

organizations and conservations such as the Nature Conversancy that are working to combat the
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water crisis, and the effective enforcement of water regulations the Mexican water crisis could

significantly improve. Mexico has the means to solve this issue, however change on a

government and political level needs to be attained or all the conservations efforts are for

nothing. In addition to the heavy regulations, Mexico is also in need of a different way of

receiving water which is where rainwater collection comes into play. Rainwater harvesting

systems could be a crucial step in resolving the water shortage as the rain is collected and

filtered, allowing more people to receive access to clean, safe water. It is relatively inexpensive

and easier than waiting and struggling to purchase bottled waters, therefore it could considerably

help people in need.

Furthermore, Mexico has been plagued by death, changes in economy, and increased

political tensions due to the water crisis. Poor enforcement of water quality regulations, overuse

of water, and refusal to allocate funds is fueling this growing issue. As the problem contaminates

the country, change is needed and would be well-welcomed by the struggling Mexican people. In

addition, direct change and action such as funding programs, buying inexpensive filters, and

collecting rainwater can further help alleviate the political and economic impediment that is the

Mexican water crisis.

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Works Cited

Barker, David. “Mexico City's Water Crisis.” Puerto Rico: Belonging to, But Not Part Of,

Nacla, 5 Sept. 2007, nacla.org/article/mexico-citys-water-crisis.

“Drinking Water in Mexico.” ​Mexperience​, 9 July 2018,

www.mexperience.com/bottled-water-in-mexico/​.

Garcia, Sol, and Isla Urbana Foundation co-ordinator. “How Capturing Rain Could Save Mexico

City from a Water Crisis.” ​The Guardian,​ Guardian News and Media, 6 July 2016,

www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/jul/06/capturing-

rain-save-mexico-city-water-crisis.

“Mexico Unemployment Rate 2018.” Countryeconomy.com, Follow Us, 2018,

countryeconomy.com/unemployment/mexico.

Ritter, Kayla. “Floods and Water Shortages Swamp Mexico City.” ​Circle of Blue​, Kayla Ritter

Https://Www.circleofblue.org/Wp-Content/Uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Spea

ks-600x139.Png, 15 June 2018,

www.circleofblue.org/2018/latin-america/floods-water-shortages-swamp-mexico-city/.

Wolfe, Mikael. “Mexico Has Some of the Best Water Laws around. So Why Are Its Rivers so

​ P Company, 26 Apr. 2018,

Contaminated?” ​The Washington Post, W

www.washingtonpost.com/news/made-by-history/wp/2018/04/26/mexico-has-some-of-th
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e-best-water-laws-around-so-why-are-its-rivers-so-contaminated/?noredirect=on&utm_te

rm=.8e9800dea27c​.