The purpose of this note is to provide information about the amendments to the Political Constitution of Mexico City (“City”) (“Constitution”) published in the Official Gazette of Mexico City on May 16th, 2024. These reforms are designed to respond to the water problem that is currently occurring in Mexico City, and are designed to guarantee universal water coverage for its inhabitants.
Publication and Current Content
The amendments introduced in the Constitution present several key innovations in water issues such as:
- Right to Housing: The City shall ensure that housing meets conditions of accessibility, affordability, habitability, cultural adaptation, sufficient size, safe design and location with infrastructure and basic services, connection to the drinking water network, rainwater collection and reuse systems, sanitation, energy, and protection and safety facilities.
- Right to Water and its Sanitation: The City will guarantee universal water coverage, through the following bases: i) Implementation and promotion of a broad rainwater harvesting system, prioritizing areas without access to the water network, areas with conditions of economic marginalization and urban poverty, as well as educational centers; ii) Obligation to have mechanisms for the collection, treatment, disposal and use of wastewater; and iii) Regulation of the use of systems for water infiltration to the groundwater table.
- Territorial Planning: It establishes that there must be public policies to guarantee the sanitation of wastewater, the collection of rainwater, the treatment of gray and wastewater, and the sustainable exploitation of aquifers. In addition, it promotes the development of an infrastructure plan for the use, treatment, and preservation of water, with the objective of ensuring an integral and sustainable management of water resources in Mexico City for people and all living beings.
Impact of the Reform
These reforms have a significant impact on the sustainable management of water resources and on the urban development of the City, by guaranteeing equitable and sustainable access to water, as well as promoting responsible practices in its use and treatment, seeking to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants and protect the environment. In addition, by promoting measures for land use planning and integrated water management, a more sustainable and resilient urban development is encouraged, contributing to the preservation of natural resources and the long-term wellbeing of the population.
