Breathe
By Brenda Chávez Bracamontes
Water Transparency, in collaboration with the Engineering Institute of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), has launched an ambitious pilot project aimed at water data transparency. The project focuses on the "Water Transparency Portal", a data compilation that will not only visualize water availability, but will also serve as an educational tool for consumers, policy makers and scientists.
Mexico City, historically surrounded by river and lake systems, faces one of the most serious water crises in its history. Overexploitation of aquifers, an intermittent supply system and an obsolete infrastructure that loses up to 40% of its water due to leaks are some of the factors that aggravate this crisis. Currently, very few enjoy a continuous supply, forcing the population to rely on expensive solutions such as bottled water or water transported by tanker trucks. This inequality not only affects the quality of life of millions of people, but also exacerbates social and economic tensions.
The Water Transparency project aims to address these inequities through the task of visualizing data in numerical and graphical formats with the potential to transform the way we interact with the water resource. By making water information transparent, the project will facilitate informed decision making and promote greater citizen participation. This will strengthen consumer confidence and satisfaction, reduce water losses and improve consumption efficiency.
The expected impact is vast: from strengthening consumer confidence and satisfaction to improving water efficiency. This data-driven approach can serve as a model for other cities around the world facing similar challenges.
The situation of water insecurity is not unique to Mexico City. Throughout the country, there are significant problems with water access and quality. According to the 2022 National Household Income and Expenditure Survey (ENIGH), although 93.1% of households in Mexico had water availability, only 66.5% had a daily supply, a decrease from the 73.3% recorded six years earlier. In addition, the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) reported that 73.9% of monitored sites in surface water and 61.1% in groundwater failed to comply with one or more established quality parameters.
The Water Transparency projectrepresents a convergence of technological innovation and civic engagement, offering a glimmer of hope for solving one of today's most persistent problems. With the support and collaboration of all sectors, we can ensure the sustainability of one of the most vital resources: water.
*Brenda Chávez Bracamontes is a professional with a double degree in International Relations and Political Science from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). In addition to her academic background, Brenda has demonstrated a palpable commitment to positive change through her participation in the development of public policies at the local level on sustainability issues.
Her experience as a fellow in the 100K Strong in the Americas program allowed her to gain a transnational perspective on critical issues, which has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in environmental management and water transparency, particularly in the Mexican context.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
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