Chihuahua, April 21, 2026 – The Chihuahua State Congress has formally requested that the Central Board of Water and Sanitation and the Municipal Board of Water and Sanitation of Ciudad Juárez take immediate action to guarantee effective, sufficient, safe, and affordable access to potable water for all residents. This directive follows the approval of a proposal presented by Deputy Irlanda Dominique Márquez Nolasco, highlighting the fundamental human right to water, irrespective of the legal status of their properties.
Actions to Ensure Supply and Property Regularization
In conjunction with this, the Plenary also endorsed a motion from Deputy Alfredo Chávez, which calls on municipal authorities to establish legal mechanisms for property regularization. This is envisioned as an integral part of a broader strategy aimed at improving access to essential services across the city.
Constitutional Right to Water and Dignified Living Conditions
During the congressional debate, emphasis was placed on Article 4 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, which recognizes access to potable water as indispensable for ensuring dignified living conditions and exercising rights such as health and well-being. It was noted that numerous neighborhoods in Ciudad Juárez, particularly those in irregular settlements, continue to suffer from inadequate access to basic services.
Challenges in Irregular Settlements: The Case of Pánfilo Natera
The Pánfilo Natera neighborhood was specifically cited as an area grappling with persistent issues related to water supply. These zones face precarious conditions due to irregular land tenure and a severe lack of hydraulic infrastructure, forcing residents to resort to often insufficient alternative methods to meet their basic needs.
Legal Questions and Social Inequality
Deputy Márquez Nolasco argued that conditioning access to potable water on property regularization is not only legally questionable but also perpetuates social inequality and exclusion. She advocated for a human rights-based approach that prioritizes the most vulnerable sectors of the population.
Supreme Court Criteria and State Obligations
The exhortation references criteria established by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, which dictates that access to water should not be contingent upon proof of property ownership. Furthermore, it reaffirms the State’s obligation to guarantee a vital minimum of this resource for all its citizens.
Source: https://oem.com.mx/elheraldodechihuahua/local/exhorta-congreso-a-que-se-garantice-el-acceso-al-agua-potable-en-ciudad-juarez-29606149
