North America’s biggest city is running out of water
Apr 30, 2024
25:55
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Exploring Mexico City's historical water crisis, government initiatives, and lessons from 'day zero'; innovative water management solutions in cities like Las Vegas and Singapore; navigating water scarcity in unexpected places like Seattle's hydropower generation.
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Quick takeaways
Mexico City's water crisis stems from historical exploitation of underground sources and climate change challenges.
The government response involves drilling new wells, rationing water, and focusing on long-term modernization projects.
Deep dives
Water Crisis in Mexico City
Mexico City is facing a severe water crisis with more than 60 million people in the country lacking daily access to water. The city relies on underground waters for most of its supply, which is depleting rapidly due to low rainfall levels in recent years. The situation is critical, with neighborhoods rationing water due to dwindling resources, and dams that supply a significant portion of the water nearing depletion by the end of June if it doesn't rain soon.
Sinking City and Historical Context
Mexico City, built on a lake, is now sinking due to the overexploitation of underground water sources. The sinking has caused buildings like churches to tilt and crack, posing challenges for engineers to reinforce their foundations. Historical flooding in the city highlights its past struggle with water management, including draining the Texcoco Lake to cope with flood issues. The demographics, lack of natural recharging sources, poor pipeline infrastructure, and climate change exacerbate the current water crisis in the city.
Impact on Daily Life and Government Response
The water shortage in Mexico City has led to rationing, with many neighborhoods having restricted access to water, even in affluent areas that previously enjoyed reliable supply. The crisis has become a democratized issue affecting residents across social classes. In response, the government is drilling new wells and importing water from other states to address the immediate crisis. Long-term solutions involve modernizing pipeline systems, utilizing alternative water sources, and promoting rational water usage to mitigate the ongoing crisis.
Officials say “Day Zero” is imminent in Mexico City. A walk through the city reveals the historical roots of the water crisis, its present-day challenges, and the potential solutions.
This episode was produced by Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help from Anouck Dussaud, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.