Mexico’s Bold Plan to Save Its Collapsing Aquifers Before It’s Too Late
A new reform to Mexico’s National Waters Law has been proposed by Senator Gilberto Hernández Villafuerte of the Green Party. The initiative aims to tackle the country’s worsening water crisis by protecting and restoring its struggling aquifers. These underground water sources currently supply nearly 40% of the nation’s needs but face severe threats from overexploitation and pollution.
The proposal focuses on strengthening the protection, recharge, and conservation of aquifers across Mexico. It calls for stricter monitoring of groundwater extraction to ensure more sustainable use. Natural and artificial methods, such as rainwater harvesting and treated water infiltration, will also be promoted to help replenish depleted reserves.
If approved, the reform would mark a significant shift in how Mexico manages its groundwater. The measures target both immediate damage and long-term sustainability, with stricter rules for users and stronger protections for recharge zones. The outcome could determine whether future generations have reliable access to clean water in a country where nearly two in five aquifers are already beyond recovery.
