Mexico City is one of the most populated metropolitan areas on the planet, home to almost 22 million people. The city is famous for its food, nightlife and effervescent culture, which makes it one of the most visited places in Central America.
However, one issue they don’t mention in the travel brochures is that the city is running out of water. The situation is so grave, in fact, that local media and public officials fear the city is on the verge of “day zero”, where it will have insufficient running water for its residents.
As reported by CBS News, estimates say the day will come in late June and last until September, although some locals are already experiencing shortages and interruptions to their supply.
The situation has become so bad that public parks and gyms have had to limit the number of showers their customers can take as some were taking advantage of the facilities.
So why is the city experiencing such water stress? According to Rafael Carmona, director at SACMEX which manages the capital city’s water system, climate change is to blame for what he calls an “unprecedented situation”. With unusually hot temperatures, coupled with a lack of rainwater, this has left supplies in local dams depleted.
Global Issue
The situation in Mexico looks grim and authorities have a big job on their hands, but what’s even more worrying is this is becoming an all too familiar story, with countries and cities across the world experiencing similar challenges.
Bangalore, known as India’s IT hub, is currently in the midst of its own water crisis, with severe drought again the root cause of the problem.
To deal with the ongoing situation, the Times of India has reported that the government plans to use milk tankers from Karnataka Milk Federation to deliver water to Bengaluru.
They will also take control of private borewells in and around the city, as well as regulating what it called the “tanker mafia” after locals reported that owners were taking advantage of the situation, charging three to four times more than usual.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that he is now investigating the matter, adding that the borewell in his own house has dried up.
“I am very seriously looking at it. I had a meeting with all the officials. We are identifying the points where water is available… More than 3,000 borewells have dried up in Bengaluru…” he told news agency ANI.
Closer to home here in Europe, just last month, Barcelona declared a drought emergency, warning those who ignore restrictions will face big fines. The capital of Catalonia is currently in the midst of the biggest water crisis since records began.
For minor infractions such as washing their car, watering the lawn or filling a swimming pool, residents will be penalised 50eur. But those found to be committing a more serious “water offence” will face eye-watering fines of up to 3,000eur.
What Does The Future Hold?
After reading about the crisis, you might think you’re fine in the UK. After all, save for a few hosepipe bans, we haven’t really experienced many issues with our water supply on these shores.
However, during the particularly hot summer of 2022, residents in Devon and Cornwall were forced to endure months of restrictions, with levels in local reservoirs running to dangerous, record lows.
And if our ageing water infrastructure doesn’t receive the investment it needs, we can expect this to become a common occurrence as summers grow hotter and severe droughts become increasingly common in the coming years.
Water Resources East (WRE), initiated by Anglian Water, warns that without intervention, the East of England could grapple with a water shortage of up to 800 million litres by 2050.
More disconcerting yet, research from Kingfisher suggests that seven out of 17 regions are on track to experience “severe” water stress by 2030, escalating to 12 regions by 2040.
So, with a potential crisis on the horizon, what repercussions could this spell for both businesses and the public?
Well, clearly water scarcity could trigger a humanitarian crisis, impacting communities with limited access to clean and safe drinking water. The consequences could be grave, affecting millions with compromised health, sanitation and an overall decline in quality of life.
Additionally, agriculture could face serious challenges due to the fact it’s such a water-intensive industry. As well as hindering crop growth and reducing yields, this could lead to food scarcity, affecting our ability to sustain the population.
Beyond health and agriculture, if water droughts become more common this will directly affect our economy. Industries reliant on water will undoubtedly face disruptions, resulting in increased operational costs and potential job losses.
While these concerns have been traditionally associated with other nations and the countries mentioned above are a little further down the road to doom than us, if changes aren’t made and improvements to our infrastructure don’t come soon then we can expect to encounter similar challenges on these shores.
Comparing Providers
As a business owner, you might be concerned about what you’ve read in this post. Apologies if you feel alarmed, but it’s important to raise awareness to ensure people are prepared and lawmakers hear your concerns.
As well as speaking to your local representatives about improving water services, another way you can support responsible practices is by partnering with a responsible supplier.
If the company you choose to supply your water isn’t performing or being dishonest about the way they’re preparing for droughts, you’re well within your rights to seek out a new deal.
This is why it very often pays to switch business utilities. If you own your own company then bringing down the cost of your outgoings and having a reliable supplier who’s adequately prepared for incidences of water scarcity is crucial.
So if you’re on the lookout for a water supplier that meets your business’ needs and preferences, we’re here to help you in your pursuit. As a water broker, we have access to hundreds of different tariffs with dozens of water suppliers across the country.
We partner with many of the country’s reputable and trusted water suppliers to put you in touch with the best options based on your needs and preferences. So whether you’re looking for the cheapest deal or a company with impressive past performance, we can help you find the one that offers what you’re after.
By explaining to us what you’re looking for in your next supplier, we can help you find the best deals on the market, saving you time and money and ensuring you get the best service around.
So to find a reliable company that will properly prepare for the inevitable hot weather we’ll be experiencing this summer, speak to us today and we’ll help put you in touch with some of the country’s most trustworthy suppliers.
