Have you ever seen the rain?

Welcome to another edition of CDMX iykyk!

Hope you’re having a great week and happy 4th of July to my American subscribers.

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s poll, shaping the direction of this newsletter.

Let’s dive in.

TOP NEWS 

Mexico City’s Worsening Water Crisis 

Mexico City is grappling with a looming water crisis exacerbated by poor management practices, unchecked urban expansion and the impacts of climate change.

Tell me more.

Day Zero is when a city runs out of water and experts said this would happen to CDMX on June 26. Thankfully this did not happen but the Cutzamala system — one of the world’s largest networks of dams, canals and pipes that supplies 27% of the capital’s water — is at a historically low 26% of its normal capacity.

The thirst is ironic because Mexico City was once a water-rich valley that was drained to make way for the vast city that we know and love today. With a population of 22 million, water shortage is causing major issues for its residents.  

Approximately 30% of the water supply comes from the Cutzamala system, which is replenished by rainwater. The remaining 70% is extracted from underground aquifers and geological formations that store groundwater. This water supply passes through aging pipes that are susceptible to earthquakes and ground sinking, contributing to a significant 40% loss due to leaks, one of the highest rates in the world.

What does this mean?

Critics argue that the crisis isn't merely a consequence of water scarcity but also of systemic mismanagement worsened by increasingly hot and dry conditions. Last year marked Mexico's hottest and driest in 70 years, amplifying the strain on already stressed resources. 

To tackle the issue, the city has implemented rationing measures across 284 neighborhoods, including more affluent areas, compared to 147 in 2007. With water shortages on the rise, residents increasingly rely on bottled water, making Mexico City one of the largest bottled water markets globally.

Addressing these challenges comes with a hefty price tag, estimated at up to $13.5 billion. A joint investigation by the United Nations and the Autonomous Metropolitan University warns that a true "Day Zero" could materialize by 2028 if proactive measures aren't taken.

Other Stories: 

💨 Hurricane Beryl heads to the Yucatan peninsula.

🚗 Handy guide to road tripping in Mexico. 

🏛️ Who's who in Claudia Sheinbaum's cabinet.

🌮 Have you eaten in one of Mexico City’s Michelin-starred restaurants?

If you are enjoying this newsletter consider forwarding it to a fellow expat / digital nomad using this link. Thanks for helping me spread the word :)

CULTURE & HAPPENINGS

• Fri, Jul 5: Cuéntame storytelling at tonal (karma theme) 💬

• Sat, Jul 6: Indigenous and Afro-descendant movies at Zocalo 🍿

• Sun, Jul 7: We call it flamenco dance show 💃🏽

• Mon, Jul 8: Coworking in Condesa 👩🏻‍💻

• Tues, Jul 9: Bla bla language exchange 🔊

• Wed, Jul 10: Our body: the universe within exhibit 🤸

• Thur, Jul 11: Pre-hispanic food fest in Iztapalapa 🍽️

ROCIO RECOMMENDS

Tacos Tony in Narvarte. Get the suadero (brisket) chunk. I’m drooling writing about it. 

VIRAL VAULT

Welcome to our reel-y awesome corner, where memes reign supreme and giggles are guaranteed.

• Mex & US get eliminated from Copa América 

• When you find a delish taco outside of Mexico 

• Non-Mexicans integrating at the carne asada

Thank you for subscribing and reading CDMX if you know, you know – it's a labor of love fueled by curiosity, and now coffee! ☕️

This project is self-funded, and if you would like to support the newsletter, you can now buy me a coffee.

That’s it! Thank you so much for reading.