National Water Plan 2024-2030: The New Strategy for Mexico’s Water Future
Access to water is a fundamental human right that, over the years, has been at the center of various public policies in Mexico. With the National Water Plan 2024-2030, the Government of Mexico has taken a significant step in redefining the nation's relationship with this essential resource. This plan seeks to ensure water sustainability, equity in access and protection of water resources for future generations. In this article, we will explore the key points of this plan, its main lines of action, the projected investment and the role of companies in its fulfillment. In addition, we will integrate the direct experience of the actors involved to offer a complete view of the subject.
What is the National Water Plan?
The National Water Plan (PNH) 2024-2030 is a comprehensive strategy promoted by the Government of Mexico with the aim of transforming the way water is managed in the country. President Claudia Sheinbaum has highlighted that this plan conceives water as a human right and an asset of the nation, moving away from the mercantilist vision that has prevailed in previous decades. This new perspective is based on the idea that all citizens should have equal access to water, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.
Main lines of action of the National Water Plan
The plan is articulated around four main axes, which in turn are broken down into strategic actions and projects of great impact for the nation.
1️⃣ Water policy and national sovereignty.
This axis focuses on guaranteeing that the control and administration of water is the responsibility of the State. To achieve this, current water concessions will be reviewed and efforts will be made to recover those that are not being used efficiently.
Key actions:
- Review of concessions: Identification of inactive concessions and their recovery to allocate the resource for human consumption.
- Voluntary return of concessions: Encouragement of the return of unused concessions by companies, facilitating their use for the population.
"The Presidency of Mexico presented the National Water Plan 2024-2030, where the importance of recovering unused concessions and incentivizing their return to prioritize human access to water was highlighted."
2️⃣ Justice in access to water
The aim is to correct the historical inequality in access to water in different regions of the country, prioritizing the communities that need it most.
Key actions:
- Water infrastructure projects: Implementation of a Master Plan in coordination with state and municipal governments.
- Access to potable water: Aqueducts and desalination plants will be developed for areas with high water scarcity.
- Strategic projects: 16 high-impact projects are contemplated, including dams, desalination plants and flood protection works.
"The implementation of a Master Plan between the federal government, states and municipalities has been proposed, with the objective of guaranteeing access to drinking water throughout the country."
3️⃣ Mitigation of environmental impacts and adaptation to climate change
Climate change has highlighted the fragility of water resources. With this axis, the plan seeks to protect rivers, lakes and other bodies of water through sanitation and environmental restoration measures.
Key actions:
- Restoration of key rivers such as the Lerma-Santiago river, the Atoyac river and the Tula river.
- Elimination of pollutant discharges: Reforestation and elimination of industrial pollutant discharges will be promoted.
- Construction of water treatment plants: Implementation of new treatment plants and rehabilitation of existing ones.
"The sanitation of water bodies is a priority, highlighting the cleaning and restoration of the Lerma-Santiago, Atoyac and Tula rivers, along with the elimination of polluting discharges."
4️⃣ Comprehensive and transparent water management
This axis focuses on transparency and accountability in water management, with the creation of citizen oversight mechanisms and the updating of the regulatory framework.
Key actions:
- National water registry for welfare: Creation of a public registry system that allows citizens to consult the status of concessions.
- Inspections and citizen complaints: Encouraging citizen participation in reporting irregularities.
- Reform of the National Water Law: Regulations will be reformed to prevent speculation and corruption in water administration.
"The creation of the National Registry of Water for Wellbeing has been proposed, as well as the implementation of citizen complaint channels to monitor water use."
Investment and financing of the National Water Plan
The Government of Mexico has projected an investment of approximately 20 billion pesos by 2025 to promote the projects included in the plan. This investment seeks to finance water infrastructure, irrigation technification and river sanitation. In addition, the signing of the National Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability is proposed, with the participation of agricultural, industrial, academic and community sectors. This agreement encourages the return of unused water volumes and private investment to make more efficient use of the resource.
What Carbotecnia could contribute to
Companies specializing in water treatment and water resource recovery, such as Carbotecnia, play a key role in achieving the objectives of the National Water Plan. The experience and technology of private sector companies will be essential to achieve the recovery and reuse of water from rivers and lakes.
How can Carbotecnia help?
- Water treatment solutions: Implementation of advanced technologies for water reclamation.
- Recovery of concessioned water: Helps companies comply with the return of unused water volumes.
- River reforestation systems: Active participation in the restoration of key rivers mentioned in the plan.
"At Carbotecnia, solutions can be offered to help companies comply with this plan, especially those that need to recover or use water from rivers, lakes and other bodies of water."
Impact of the National Water Plan on society
The impact of this strategy will be profound and lasting. The following benefits are expected to be achieved with the implementation of the plan's axes:
- Equitable access to water: More families will have access to safe and consistent drinking water.
- Reduction of river and lake pollution: The restoration and cleanup of the Lerma-Santiago, Atoyac and Tula rivers will be a benchmark of success.
- Citizen participation: With the implementation of the National Registry of Water for Wellbeing, the population will have an active role in monitoring water resources.
- Economic development: Technification of agricultural irrigation and improvement of water infrastructure will generate economic opportunities for rural communities.
Contact us to join you
The National Water Plan 2024-2030 is a bold commitment to a new way of managing, protecting and taking advantage of the most vital resource for life: water. The Presidency of Mexico has established a clear roadmap with strategic axes, solid investment and the participation of various sectors of society. With the contribution of specialized companies such as Carbotecnia, the fulfillment of this plan will not only be possible, but also sustainable. The recovery of concessions, water infrastructure and transparent water management will be the pillars that will mark a new era for water in Mexico.
