Monterrey’s Water Crisis: When Your Tap Goes on Holiday
Picture this: It’s the middle of a scorching summer in Monterrey, the city that’s been playing God with its water supply. Maria Luisa Robles, a 60‑year‑old convenience‑store clerk, pulls the question from a corner of her perfectly aged apartment: “Have you run out of water?” She’s on repeat because her neighbour has lost the hearing part of her brain.
Why the Taps Are Tapping Out
Because the entire Sierra Ventana neighbourhood has been turned off for a week—no droplet, no drip. Instead, the residents have turned themselves into life‑savers, literally. They climb onto a municipal water tank, scoop the remaining liquid into jugs, and weigh‑lift them back home to hydrate, cook, wash, and get the kids ready for school.
- Half of Mexico is in the drought zone—CONAGUA says it’s more than moderate, it’s “severe.”
- Monterrey’s micro‑climate freaks out: with over 5.3 million people, no rain has been an almost permanent comfort.
- Governor Samuel Garcia warns it’s a “climate crisis” and doesn’t even pretend to be a drama.
When the City Gets a 6‑Hour Water Schedule
In June, the city imposed a brutal 6‑hour allotment of water—yes, it’s the equivalent of a 9‑to‑5 water job. Teachers scrambled to shift classes, and consumers went into a supermarket frenzy, buying every bottle on the shelves. Fish markets and breweries now get the cold shoulder from the angry masses—no one likes to see an entire economy rely on bottled water.
State Response (What They’re Doing)
- Pipe patch-ups are underway to stop leaks.
- Pressure valves are being installed, proving that water does indeed prefer a smooth ride.
- Companies violating the water laws—think farms, slaughterhouses, and secret taps—are being shredded.
The Real Numbers (Dam Status)
The nuclear trio of reservoirs that feed Monterrey—Cerro Prieto, La Boca, and El Cuchillo—look less like water sources and more like empty jars. Barragan, the water authority boss, says two of them could be completely dry by Tuesday, and the third only sits on 45% capacity.
Inside Maria’s Life, Fresh Water Is a Luxury
Maria lives with her elderly mother, two siblings having disabilities, and a niece needing a motor assist. They’ve built a survival system out of stepping stones, buckets, and a baby stroller full of water. Because each dip to the tank costs her time and sweat—yes, she’s walking a 12‑cell in 104 °F weather, shouting, “We need water to live!”—she’s doing the math on the spot.
Hope on the Horizon
The state promises that summer might bring relief—with a little rain, the crisis could cool down. But for now, the city and the residents must keep sipping the very water that used to flow freely.
