Mexico City Congress Hosts Forum on Pluvial Water Harvesting Amidst Water Crisis
Mexico City, May 11, 2026 – In response to the severe water crisis gripping the capital, the Mexico City Congress hosted a forum titled “Pluvial Water Harvesting in Mexico City” on Monday. Organized by the Comprehensive Water Management Commission, the event convened legislators, authorities, and experts to explore solutions to the pressing issue of water scarcity.
Addressing the Water Crisis: A Call for Integrated Strategies
The forum’s inauguration was led by Deputies Adriana Espinosa de los Monteros García and Paula Alejandra Pérez Córdova, President and Vice-President of the Commission, respectively, alongside José Mario Esparza Hernández, Head of the Secretariat of Comprehensive Water Management (SEGIAGUA).
Deputy Espinosa de los Monteros García acknowledged the multifaceted nature of Mexico City’s water crisis, characterized by not only resource scarcity but also the overexploitation of aquifers and increasingly intense rainfall. She emphasized the urgent need to transition from reactive approaches to comprehensive strategies that ensure efficient, resilient, and sustainable water management. The Deputy stressed the importance of expert input in formulating and implementing effective solutions.
Government Initiatives and Expert Consensus
Speaking at the “Benito Juárez” Auditorium of the local Congress, the Head of SEGIAGUA, José Mario Esparza Hernández, highlighted the creation of his department as the capital government’s initial step in tackling the water crisis. He also detailed the Comprehensive Water Plan, which aims to achieve hydrological balance in the Valley of Mexico Basin through rainwater infiltration.
Esparza Hernández announced plans to construct 100 recharge sites annually, confirming that last year’s target was met. He expressed confidence in reaching 146 sites during the current rainy season and a total of 200 sites by December 2026.
Approximately 50 attendees listened to proposals from experts representing the Rosario Castellanos University, the UNAM Institute of Engineering, the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change (also from UNAM), and the World Bank’s Water Security and Resilience Program for Mexico.
The specialists unanimously agreed that resolving the water crisis requires coordinated efforts among government, academia, and civil society. They emphasized the need for strategies that offer both short-term and long-term solutions.
Climate change was identified as a critical factor contributing to recurrent droughts and torrential rains, underscoring the necessity for immediate, medium-term, and long-term actions.
Thematic Discussions and Future Outlook
The forum featured four thematic tables:
- “Pluvial harvesting as a resilience tool against climate change”
- “Reduction of floods and aquifer recharge through rainwater harvesting”
- “Rainwater harvesting and water sustainability”
- “Water sustainability: the role of pluvial harvesting in the future of Mexico City”
These discussions aimed to delve into specific aspects of pluvial water harvesting and its potential to mitigate the water crisis and foster a more sustainable future for Mexico City.
The event underscores the ongoing commitment of the Mexico City Congress to address environmental challenges and ensure the well-being of its citizens through collaborative and informed decision-making.
Source: https://www.congresocdmx.gob.mx/comsoc-realizan-congreso-capitalino-foro-sobre-captacion-pluvial-ciudad-mexico-7458-1.html
