WATER NEWS 2/7

Mexico Water news roundup

Water is the other US-Mexico border crisis, and the supply crunch is getting worse

Immigration and border security will be the likely focus of U.S.-Mexico relations under the new Trump administration. But there also is a growing water crisis along the U.S.–Mexico border that affects tens of millions of people on both sides, and it can only be managed if the two governments work together.

Climate change is shrinking surface and groundwater supplies in the southwestern U.S. Higher air temperatures are increasing evaporation rates from rivers and streams and intensifying drought. Mexico is also experiencing multiyear droughts and heat waves.

Growing water use is already overtaxing limited supplies from nearly all of the region’s cross-border rivers, streams and aquifers. Many of these sources are contaminated with agricultural pollutants, untreated waste and other substances, further reducing the usability of available water (The Conversation)

Lake Texcoco, first Ecohydrology Demonstration Site in Mexico by UNESCO

The Natural Resources Protection Area (NRPA) of Lake Texcoco has been designated as an Ecohydrology Demonstration Site by UNESCO, the first in Mexico.

Mexico celebrates the registration of Lake Texcoco as its first Ecohydrology Demonstration Site by UNESCO, a designation approved by the International Scientific Advisory Committee of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) that recognises places in the world where nature-based, sustainable and innovative solutions are implemented in which different academic disciplines and actors from different sectors collaborate for a holistic vision of action for recovery. (UNESCO Press Release)

Coca-Cola Launches Water Sustainability Initiatives in Mexico

From artificial wetlands to clean water access programs, Coca-Cola Mexico demonstrates commitment to communities.

Coca-Cola Mexico has embarked on significant water sustainability initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to addressing environmental challenges and ensuring access to clean water for communities. Marking the observation of World Wetlands Day this February 2, 2025, the company, in collaboration with Arca Continental and Grupo Rica, has made noteworthy advancements aimed at enhancing water management and accessibility.

One of the standout projects is the development of artificial wetlands funded by Arca Continental, which invested 80 million pesos for wastewater treatment solutions across Mexico. These wetlands, established with the assistance of Pronatura Mexico and Pronatura Noroeste, are located at two key sites: Cihuatlán, Jalisco, and the Mexicali Valley, Baja California. They function by treating wastewater through natural filtration systems, utilizing biofilters of sand and gravel along with specially chosen plants to eliminate contaminants effectively.

(The Pinnacle Gazette)

Mexico's floating gardens are ancient wonders of sustainable farming

Standing amid rows of juicy, lime green lettuce and chunky florets of broccoli, Jose Paiz appears as if he could be the owner of a modern, high-tech farm. But the crops thriving here, in the suburbs of Mexico City, are part of a 1,000-year-old tradition.

"My ancestors were doing this before even the [Spanish] Conquistadors arrived in Mexico [in 1519]," says Paiz, while crouching down to pick up a handful of powdery soil from the "chinampa," or "floating garden," on which we are both standing.

These highly productive man-made island-farms, which can be found floating on lakes across the south of Mexico's capital, date back to the time of the Aztecs or perhaps even earlier — and now proponents say that these ancient engineering wonders could provide an important, sustainable food source as the city faces historic drought.

(Peter Yeung for Reasons to be Cheerful)