The lack of access to fully reliable water sources and efficient sanitation generates poverty, disease, inequality and death. It is clear that the human right to health is closely linked to the right to clean, physically accessible and affordable water. There are many diseases that are transmitted through water (viral hepatitis, cholera, dysentery, diarrhoea, etc.) and many of them are the main cause of infant death in developing countries. In Mexico, for example, they rank first for children between 1 and 5 years of age.
according to the thirteenth National Population and Housing CensusIn Mexico, 91 percent of the population has potable water service and 90 percent has sewerage coverage. Taking population growth into account, according to the 2030 Water Agenda, the challenge will be to incorporate 36.8 million inhabitants to drinking water coverage and 40.5 million to sewerage. Achieving this universal coverage in 2030 will require investments of 215 billion pesos and the implementation of hygiene measures, education, and access to health services.
842,000 low- and middle-income people die as a result of unsafe water supplies
Around 842,000 low- and middle-income people die each year as a result of unsafe water supply and poor sanitation and hygiene. Although it is true that there are diseases related to water that are not being quantified within the global burden of disease. Among them are:
- Hydroarsenicism.
- Hepatitis A and E.
- Cyanobacterial toxins.
- Fluorosis.
- Lead poisoning.
- Methemoglobinemia.
- Poliomyelitis.
- scabies
- Spinal cord injuries.
In Mexico, at present it is necessary to have that 16% of the water produced for supply is not disinfected. Regarding the quality of the groundwater of the 653 aquifers, 105 are in a condition of overexploitation, 32 with the presence of saline soils and brackish water, and 18 with marine intrusion.
On the other hand, it should be mentioned that the drought in Mexico is a growing problem. For example, in 2020, a declaration was made for drought (drinking supply) in the states of Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa and Sonora, corroborating a total of 111 municipalities.
Some improvements and recommendations on the problem in Mexico
Finally, some recommendations should be outlined to improve the water problem in Mexico, which are the following:
- The basic, potable and safe supply, as well as sanitation in homes and workplaces improved health and labor productivity.
- Having institutional structures for multi-stakeholder dialogue and cooperation is essential to ensure equitable access to water supply and sanitation services.
- Reducing the loss of this liquid in agriculture and food waste could have an impact on the demand for water for agriculture and energy.
- Achieving universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation in 140 low- and middle-income countries would cost around $1.7 trillion.
- The rain harvest is a traditional and sustainable method, which can be used for supply, both potable and non-potable.