Water Challenges
01.
WastewaterWastewater
There are over 1,400 points of drainage into various water systems that run through Mexico City, such as wastewater dispensation, industry effluence, uncontrolled landfill seepage and agrochemical runoff.
02.
Agricultural SustainabilityAgricultural Sustainability
The Xochimilco region is relying on treated wastewater to sustain its agricultural network, which still contains pesticides that cause glyphosate poisoning, among other pollutants.
03.
Groundwater OverexploitationGroundwater Overexploitation
has caused significant issues such as water exhaustion and subsidence, which then compound to create immediate threats that divert resources from fixing the source of the issue.
04.
Water Infrastructure DamageWater Infrastructure Damage
mainly from flooding and subsidence, leads to unnecessary water loss. The repeated cycle of droughts and floods means infrastructure must be designed, and maintained, to withstand both extremes of water overload and scarcity, which is very expensive.
Spotlight
A must-read report on climate change in Mexico City:
“A water resilience plan for the heritage zone of Xochimilco, Tlahuac and Milpa Alta” is a comprehensive, multi-organization strategy guide that aims to build resilience of some of Mexico City’s most critical water systems.
In 2004, UNESCO designated 2,657 hectares of the Xochimilco ecosystem a protected area; a World Heritage Site. The Ramsar convention dictates that this area be supported for preservation of culturally important species and indigenous history.
“The 2030 Water Agenda” is a document that outlines Mexico’s commitment to providing the next generation a clean and sustainable water system that minimizes risk to vulnerable stakeholders.
Researcher Profile
Dr. Marisa Mazari-Hiriart is a Biologist from the Faculty of Sciences at UNAM. She holds a Masters degree in Applied Hydrobiology from the University of Wales, a Master of Science (Biology) from the Faculty of Sciences of UNAM and a DEnv in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from the University of California. She is the Senior C Researcher of the National Laboratory of Sustainability Sciences of the Institute of Ecology, UNAM, PRIDE D, and a National Researcher Level III. She has worked on sustainable water uses in both urban and rural socio-ecosystems of Mexico, determining water quality based on microorganisms and organic chemical compounds, and identifying potential sources of contamination that represent a risk to the environment and public health. She is currently working on interdisciplinary projects to promote the application of the Sustainable Development Goals, in relation to clean water and sanitation, health and well-being for the reduction of inequities and poverty in rural areas in Mexico.
She has received distinctions and recognitions as a Member of the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program at Stanford University, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Recognition, UNAM. She is a member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences, A.C. Biology Area.
- Urban resilience efforts must consider social and political forces
- Adaptive pathways and coupled infrastructure: seven centuries of adaptation to water risk and the production of vulnerability in Mexico City
- Microbiological Implications of Periurban Agriculture and Water Reuse in Mexico City
- The survival of agriculture on the edge: Perceptions of push and pull factors for the persistence of the ancient chinampas of Xochimilco, Mexico City
- Assessing the historical adaptive cycles of an urban social-ecological system and its potential future resilience: the case of Xochimilco, Mexico City
