Felipe Ignacio Arreguín Cortés

Mexico’s Water Challenges for the 21st Century

Mexico is the eleventh most populous nation in the world after countries such as China, India and the United States of America; it has the second biggest city after Tokyo, Japan, and it ranks 54th in gross domestic product. In terms of water availability per capita – resulting from dividing overall water resources by the total population – Mexico ranks 89th worldwide, with 4,291 cubic meters per inhabitant per annum. Water abstraction puts the country in 36th place, with an average annual precipitation of 743 m3 per capita.

Evolution of Water Management in Mexico

The recognition of the need for an integrated and humane management of water resources has been gradually developed as a result of several major international conferences and forums. These, together with the World Water Vision, have reinforced the need for a comprehensive assessment of global freshwater resources as a basis for implementing a more integrated management of water. The recommendations suggested in the meetings and international forums have undoubtedly helped the development of water resources management in Mexico. In general, however, to implement them effectively and efficiently, it is necessary to develop financial mechanisms available to the payment capacity of each country and establish reasonable deadlines for meeting the goals. This paper analyses the impact of the recommendations arising from international meetings on water management in Mexico as well as their compliance in terms of water and wastewater management.The recognition of the need for an integrated and humane management of water resources has been gradually developed as a result of several major international conferences and forums. These, together with the World Water Vision, have reinforced the need for a comprehensive assessment of global freshwater resources as a basis for implementing a more integrated management of water. The recommendations suggested in the meetings and international forums have undoubtedly helped the development of water resources management in Mexico. In general, however, to implement them effectively and efficiently, it is necessary to develop financial mechanisms available to the payment capacity of each country and establish reasonable deadlines for meeting the goals. This paper analyses the impact of the recommendations arising from international meetings on water management in Mexico as well as their compliance in terms of water and wastewater management.