MEXICO CITY, June 20 – A significant legal reform has been proposed in Mexico City that could make rainwater harvesting mandatory across all 16 boroughs. The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Brenda Fabiola Ruiz Aguilar, aims to modify the Law on the Right to Access, Provision, and Sanitation of Water, transforming rainwater collection into a city-wide public policy.
SEGIAGUA and Boroughs to Coordinate Obligatory Rainwater Capture
The Secretary of Comprehensive Water Management (SEGIAGUA) and Mexico City’s 16 boroughs may soon be required to coordinate their efforts for capturing and utilizing rainwater. This comes after Deputy Ruiz Aguilar presented a proposal to the Permanent Commission of the Mexico City Congress. The objective is for each borough to identify specific areas for infiltrating or storing rainwater, promote green infrastructure, and implement collection systems tailored to their unique needs.
The proposal has been forwarded to the Commission for Comprehensive Water Management for further analysis and dictation. This move underscores a growing urgency to address water scarcity and enhance the city’s resilience against climate change impacts.
New Article 18 Bis: Shared Water Responsibility for Boroughs
Ruiz Aguilar, who also serves as the vice-coordinator of the Morena parliamentary group, highlighted that a new Article 18 Bis in the law would establish shared water responsibility for the boroughs in the capture, infiltration, and recharge of the aquifer. She emphasized that every liter of rainwater recovered would significantly reduce the strain on existing aquifers and contribute to a more sustainable and climate-resilient urban environment.
The deputy stressed that access to water demands a shift towards a model that better utilizes rainfall to bolster water tables and secure water for future generations. She pointed out that boroughs, due to their close proximity to the territory and its population, are uniquely positioned to identify suitable areas for infiltration, promote recharge projects, and coordinate effectively with SEGIAGUA.
Institutional Co-responsibility Expanded for Water Management
The text of the reform clarifies that institutional co-responsibility is being expanded, positioning the boroughs not merely as intermediaries in potable water management, but as central actors in the rainwater harvesting strategy. “The initiative addresses one of the most urgent problems for the city’s future: guaranteeing the human right to water, with a vision of sustainability and social justice,” explained Ruiz Aguilar.
This strategic shift aims to move beyond constitutional mandates to obligatory implementation across the entire territory, ensuring that the constitutional provision for promoting rainwater harvesting is translated into concrete actions and institutional coordination.
Social Participation and Concrete Action Mechanisms
The project also incorporates social participation, acknowledging that water conservation is a shared responsibility between authorities and citizens. Schools, organizations, and communities will be encouraged to join in identifying and promoting local solutions for capturing rainwater and recharging aquifers. This inclusive approach seeks to leverage community engagement for more effective and sustainable water management practices.
Ruiz Aguilar concluded that strengthening institutional co-responsibility and sustainable water management in the city is crucial for guaranteeing the right to water, life, and the well-being of the population.
The proposed reform represents a proactive step towards mitigating Mexico City’s water challenges, aiming to create a more robust and equitable water system for its residents. Its approval would mark a significant milestone in the city’s environmental policy and urban planning.
