Monday, August 22, 2005
Some experts predict water conflicts in
Mexico
By Barnard R. Thompson
In lieu of the usual column, and considering a growing
concern with respect to future water needs and supplies in Mexico and beyond, a piece from the Mexican perspective is offered
this week. The following, from the Mexican news service Notimex on August 19,
is an edited translation of “The catastrophic view of the water war brings about discord,” by Elizabeth Rodríguez
Mora (excepting for comments identified to this observer).
“The theorists of world geography portend that
future wars will be fought over the possession of water, an indispensable liquid for the survival of all species that faces
the threat of becoming insufficient to meet human needs, or of being drained completely.”
(A former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico once
told this observer, that in his view conflicts over freshwater could one day in the not too distant future become the number
one flashpoint between Mexico and the U.S. — brt)
“In spite of three-quarters of the planet being
covered with water, only 2.8 percent is fresh water. Of this, the amount available
for human activities is only 0.63 percent, according to a study of the Atmospheric Sciences Institute of UNAM (ICA/UNAM).
“As for Miguel García Reyes, a researcher with
the Political and Social Sciences School of UNAM (FCPYS/UNAM), the outbreak of a crisis due to water scarcity in Mexico is
‘a real possibility’ that must not be rejected.
“‘We can do without oil, there is no
problem in producing primary energy, however finding a substitute for water cannot be done,’ he emphasized in an interview
while warning that it is important to avoid ‘a crisis that could become catastrophic.’
“From his point of view, Mexico’s water
shortage could cause social unrest, an inadmissible situation after having prepared the resource and a large storage capacity,
and we must (face) the risk of local conflicts for possession of the resource.
“The water problem in Mexico is not in its
abundance or lack thereof, but in its distribution. However above all, the problem
is waste due to leakage, and the thoughtlessness of users with respect to the huge value of this natural resource, he added.”
(…)
“However the vision of Mexico sinking into
ungovernableness due to a lack of water is not shared by another water issues expert, Ramiro Rodríguez, a researcher in the
Geophysics Institute of UNAM.
“As of now there are no adequate and dependable
studies in order to know the capacity of the nation’s aquifers, how long they can be exploited, and how much fresh water
they (might) have.
“‘No one has an estimate in order to
say that tomorrow it will be used up. There is no means to know this, …’
he said.
“This does not mean that Mexico is free from
water related problems, he explained in qualifying (his statement). ‘I
might see more of a risk in handling the collapse of ground due to the extraction of water.’”
(…)
“As to how to confront water related challenges
faced by Mexico, both researchers agree that the bases for everything is to develop a water use culture among the citizenry.
“(García), the FCPYS/UNAM researcher, emphasized
that the State must design a better plan for the handling of water, one however that should not be translated into an economic
burden on users, he clarified.
“‘We are not saying that we have to privatize
or charge the people more. To me, for Mexicans to have a good awareness of the
value of water, in order not to waste it, is enough,’ he emphasized.
“In contrast, Rodríguez is of the opinion that
besides the lack a water culture in Mexico, its real cost is not paid, so there is no consciousness whatsoever at the time
(water) is used.
“‘That which has a price is taken care
of, and that would bring about concern for the resource and, with [the State] having more resources, it would be able to improve
and broaden the infrastructure, for example having greater efficiency for the treatment of waste waters,’ he pointed
out.”
The piece ended with mention of the Fourth World
Water Forum, that is scheduled to take place in Mexico City from March 16 to 22, 2006.
The World Water Council, a water policy think tank that has over 300 public and private sector members representing
more than 50 countries, sponsors the Forum.
Barnard Thompson, a consultant, is also editor of
MexiData.info. He can be reached via e-mail at mexidata@ix.netcom.com.
