Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's incoming president, faces the daunting task of addressing the country's severe water shortages, exacerbated by climate change and decades of infrastructure neglect.
Jake Bittle reports for Grist.
In short:
- Mexico City suffers from a historic water crisis with intermittent contaminated water supply and significant leakage in the system.
- As mayor, Sheinbaum initiated rainwater capture, aquifer restoration, and pipe upgrades, but lacked resources for significant impact.
- With new presidential power and aligned local government, Sheinbaum could implement more comprehensive water management solutions.
Key quote:
“She has a very good record, and she started a lot of paradigm-shifting programs that opened new possibilities for approaching the water crisis. But these are still very small things compared to the scale of the problem.”
— Enrique Lomnitz, an engineer whose company, Isla Urbana, has built rainfall harvesting systems across Mexico City
Why this matters:
Mexico City’s water crisis affects millions. Sheinbaum, the first woman elected to Mexico's presidency, has pledged to make water security a top priority. Her plans include investing in modernizing the country's water infrastructure, promoting conservation efforts and addressing the root causes of water scarcity. However, she faces significant obstacles, including limited financial resources and the need for extensive coordination between federal, state and local governments.
