Mexico City Government and Magdalena Contreras Borough Achieve 96% Reduction in Rain Damage
Mexico City, September 8, 2026 – The Mexico City government, led by Mayor Clara Brugada, in a coordinated effort with the Magdalena Contreras borough, has successfully reduced rain-related damages by an impressive 96%. This significant achievement follows an 80 million peso investment in hydraulic infrastructure, directly benefiting 21,000 residents and resolving water scarcity issues in 16 neighborhoods.
Extensive Hydraulic Works Improve Urban Resilience
Mayor Brugada, accompanied by Fernando Mercado, the Mayor of Magdalena Contreras, and Mario Esparza, head of SEGIAGUA, recently toured the completed drainage works in the Lomas Quebradas and San Jerónimo Lídice neighborhoods, as well as the sanitation projects in San Nicolás Totolapan. The officials engaged with residents, expressing gratitude for their support and patience during the construction phase.
Mario Esparza, Secretary of Comprehensive Water Management, detailed the scope of the projects. These include the construction of a retaining wall, a system of deflector boxes, and new piping designed to regulate water flow. Furthermore, the rehabilitation of the water treatment plant is set to triple its capacity for containing effluents, significantly enhancing the area’s ability to manage heavy rainfall.
Key Infrastructure Projects and Their Impact
Throughout 2026, four major drainage projects were undertaken in the San Jerónimo Lídice and Lomas Quebradas areas, with an investment of 34.2 million pesos. These projects are specifically designed to mitigate flooding. A crucial element is the construction of a 5×9 meter retaining wall, which effectively regulates water flowing from the Barranca de la Coyotera, preventing the severe damages experienced in previous years.
Additionally, a 117-meter pluvial conduction system, currently 50% complete and expected to finish by October, will manage up to 11,100 liters per second (lps) of water, reducing its force and preventing adverse effects. A 50-meter collector has been installed to redirect water to the Barranca de la Coyotera, alongside a 71 cubic meter (m³) catchment box. The rehabilitation of the water treatment plant has increased its capacity from 25 lps to 50 lps of high-quality treated water, which is now utilized for irrigation and in public facilities, with surplus water returning to the Magdalena River.
Advanced Water Treatment for Sustainable Use
The San Nicolás Totolapan Wastewater Treatment Plant now features an advanced system. This process begins with the separation of large debris, followed by the removal of sand and grease. The water then passes through an aerobic reactor and a secondary segmenter before continuous filtration and final UV disinfection. A portion of the treated water is returned to the Magdalena River, while the remainder is used for irrigation and in the borough’s sports facilities.
Mayor Fernando Mercado highlighted the historical significance of these improvements: “For many years, the plant was deficient, and treated water was not utilized. The previous government even used potable water for irrigation. Today, thanks to the city government’s intervention, treated water is directed where it should be, benefiting all public spaces in Contreras.” He added that facilities like Casa Popular, Deportivo 1ro de Mayo, and Luis Cabrera are now irrigated with treated water, a significant improvement for which he expressed gratitude.
Addressing Past Deficiencies and Ensuring Future Resilience
The severe rain damages last year exposed critical deficiencies in the hydraulic infrastructure of areas like Lomas Quebradas and San Jerónimo Lídice. The neglect of the Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Nicolás Totolapan also became evident. The new projects aim to safely and efficiently capture, conduct, regulate, and treat rainwater.
In Lomas Quebradas, the works form a single integrated system. It starts with a buffer tank, leading to a wall that temporarily holds back stormwater, directing it through a 60-meter square tunnel to a deflector box with grates for water capture. An outlet buffer tank then guides the water to the Magdalena River, a chain designed to manage 11,100 liters of pluvial water per minute.
At Plaza Lídice, the goal is to prevent water accumulation on roads and pedestrian areas. A catchment box with grates has been built to store and transport water to the drainage network, capable of holding and conveying 71 m³ of water.
Community Engagement and Future Plans
Mayor Clara Brugada commended the collaborative efforts with Mayor Fernando Mercado, stating, “We first diagnose the requirements and needs of this demarcation, and then we distribute responsibilities between the city government and the borough. I am pleased to say that we are working well, with excellent coordination.”
Brugada recalled the impact of last year’s rains on drainage, ravines, and public spaces, leading to widespread flooding. She emphasized that these projects aim to mitigate rain-related damages, particularly in previously affected areas. The new infrastructure is designed to slow down rainwater from ravines, capture it, and channel it through innovative systems for rapid and safe discharge.
The Mayor highlighted the 96% reduction in rain-related damages this year compared to last year’s atypical rainfall. She noted the positive feedback from Lomas Quebradas residents, who actively participated as citizen controllers, overseeing every step of the construction. “We seek to ensure that water which once flooded streets, homes, and public spaces in San Jerónimo Lídice can now be captured and returned to the drainage system,” Brugada stated.
Beyond infrastructure, the city launched the ‘Tlaloque’ emergency program, deploying a permanent team with hydropneumatic pumps at Periférico and Avenida México to address emergencies. “We are prepared to respond to emergencies until the works are completed, and we no longer need emergency teams,” Brugada affirmed.
Comprehensive Water Management and Community Development
In Magdalena Contreras, 88 million pesos have been invested this year in various projects covering potable water, drainage, and sanitation, benefiting 247,000 people. Specifically, 24 potable water projects with an investment of 54 million pesos are underway to prevent leaks and purify water, ensuring regular supply to higher elevations. In 16 Contreras neighborhoods, water supply hours have tripled, significantly improving daily life. Mayor Mercado confirmed that water is no longer a priority issue.
Brugada also announced the first ‘Utopía’ in Magdalena Contreras, a project aimed at bringing services, sports facilities, vocational training, and technology education to high-altitude areas, thereby reducing inequality. Another ‘Utopía’ will be built on a reclaimed site in San Nicolás.
The construction of Cablebús Line 5 was also mentioned, intended to optimize transport and mobility in Magdalena Contreras. The Mayor anticipates returning to inaugurate a new RTP route in El Ocotal, which will address long-standing mobility challenges for the community.
The collaborative efforts of the Secretariat of Comprehensive Water Management, the City Government, and the Borough Government are evident in the water tanks and treatment plants of Magdalena Contreras. Mayor Mercado concluded, “The City Government is felt on the streets, in the works, in the programs, and above all, in the daily presence of the Mayor. We are carrying out works, cleaning ravines, and desilting with our Secretaries. We are bringing all the welfare programs that the Government has. Thank you, Mayor, and your team. Many historical problems in Magdalena Contreras that had not been addressed now have solutions or a clear path to attention. Today, the City Government is seen and felt in the streets, in every public space, and especially in our communities and indigenous towns.”
