Mexico City, Mexico – A coalition of water sector organizations, business associations, and civil society groups launched the ‘El agua también nos une’ (Water Also Unites Us) campaign on Wednesday. This initiative seeks to promote responsible water use among citizens, tourists, and businesses in anticipation of the millions of visitors expected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Aneas Spearheads Water Conservation Efforts for the World Cup
The campaign, spearheaded by the National Association of Water and Sanitation Entities of Mexico (Aneas), includes awareness-raising activities, digital tools, and partnerships with hotels, restaurants, and accommodation platforms. The goal is to mitigate the impact on water supply systems in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, the three host cities for the sporting event.
“Water care is a collective responsibility, and citizen action is the piece that complements this institutional effort,” stated Patricia Hernández, Director General of Aneas, during a press conference.
Context and Water Consumption Figures in Mexico Ahead of the World Cup
This initiative comes at a time of increasing water stress in Mexico. Hernández highlighted that the annual per capita water consumption in Mexico reached 754 cubic meters in 2024, a figure 47% higher than the global average. She warned that the arrival of over five million visitors to the three host cities could increase water demand by up to 40% during the World Cup events.
As part of the campaign, a microsite has been launched, providing information on the water situation in each host city, recommendations for visitors and residents, and tools to encourage more responsible consumption habits.
Restaurant Industry Joins the Cause
Among the campaign’s allies is the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac). Its executive president, Claudia Ramírez, emphasized the crucial role the sector will play in serving millions of tourists.
“We are very happy to join this campaign, ‘Water Also Unites Us,’ because it seems to us a very relevant moment to start an awareness program with all restaurants in Mexico,” Ramírez expressed.
Ramírez noted that the industry comprises over 700,000 establishments and generates more than two million direct jobs, suggesting that water-saving measures could have a significant impact.
“We know that the water challenge is no longer a future issue. Today, millions of Mexicans face water availability problems, and as an industry, we cannot be oblivious to this reality,” she asserted.
The campaign also involves the organization Aguarkía and the College of Civil Engineers of Mexico. Their representatives pointed out that the World Cup presents an opportunity to highlight the country’s water challenges and promote a culture of water conservation among visitors and residents.
The initiative’s promoters expressed their hope that, in addition to being remembered for football, Mexico will leave a legacy of greater awareness regarding the importance of preserving its water resources.
