Over 11 million people in Mexico lack constant access to potable water in their homes, according to Coneval. An environmental management specialist calls for linking housing policies with water planning to ensure basic services in new developments. In Morelia, integral initiatives are advancing dignified housing.
In Mexico, access to water is essential for dignified housing, yet over 11 million people lack constant and safe supply in their homes, according to Coneval data. This highlights the need to transform urban expansion, which has historically grown without integral planning, allowing developments without adequate hydraulic networks or environmental impact studies.
As a result, many homes remain uninhabited or are occupied under precarious conditions, relying on water trucks, which encourages water theft, inefficient rationing, and overexploitation of wells. The author, a specialist in environmental management and sustainability, stresses that urban development and housing policies must integrate with water planning, making coordination between developers, authorities, and operators mandatory.
Proposals include educating on responsible water use, incorporating technologies like rainwater harvesting, smart meters, and reuse systems in new housing projects. It also seeks to promote a culture of co-responsibility, where citizens understand their consumption and reduce their water footprint.
In Morelia, strengthening the Water Supply Operator Organism (OOAPAS) links infrastructure, housing, education, and sustainability. At the Expo CANADEVI Michoacán 2025, it was reiterated that housing developments must prioritize water access, real network connections, and mitigation of environmental impacts to ensure quality of life.
The call is for an urban water pact involving government, the real estate industry, academia, and citizens, ensuring every dignified home includes this basic right without exceptions.
