How Mexico City Avoided Running Out of Water
Also today: An influx of expatriates chasing high-paying jobs in Dubai is bringing up the cost of living, and Islamabad’s master plan has become the subject of a lengthy debate about how to regulate unruly growth.
Lower water levels at the Miguel Aleman dam during drought conditions in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, March 11, 2024.
Photographer: Cesar Rodriguez/BloombergEarlier this year, the Valley of Mexico experienced the worst drought in more than a decade, sparking fears about a collapse of the water system that would leave Mexico City completely dry. Key sources of water were drained, residents were told to recycle and reduce their water consumption, and some of the available water was contaminated.
What helped save 22 million residents was a combination of perfectly timed rainfall and urgent pressure from residents and local media around election season, reports Maya Averbuch. But water infrastructure remains an urgent concern and the attention helped propel it as a priority policy issue.
This is one of several stories we're publishing about Mexico City (in English and Spanish) during the Bloomberg CityLab conference there this week, which will be available via livestream starting tomorrow at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on CityLab.com. Today on CityLab: How Mexico City Averted All-Out Drought