How To Conserve Water in Your Home in Mexico: Practical Tips for Sustainable Living

Water scarcity is a global issue affecting nations worldwide, including Mexico. Conserving water has become a critical necessity everywhere. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to living in Mexico, adopting water-saving habits in your home can make a real difference in preserving this precious natural resource. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore practical strategies tailored to Mexican households to address water conservation and to promote sustainable water use.

Understanding Mexico’s Water Systems

Mexico relies heavily on aquifers, rivers, and reservoirs to meet its water needs. Surface water sources, such as rivers and lakes, provide a substantial portion of Mexico’s freshwater supply supporting agriculture, industry, and urban centers. Mexico is one of the world’s top users of groundwater, with aquifers serving as a vital water source for agriculture, drinking water, and industrial processes. Mexico’s water infrastructure includes dams, reservoirs, and treatment plants designed to capture, store, and distribute water.

CONAGUA

La Comisión Nacional del Agua or the National Water Commission is a decentralized administrative agency of the SEMARNAT, la Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales or the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, created in 1989, whose responsibility is to manage, regulate, control and protect Mexico’s national waters. Individuals do not often come into contact with CONAGUA. Communities and municipalities often work with the agency for permits.

Local Water Infrastructure Agencies

As an individual or homeowner, you will be in contact with the agency that maintains the local water infrastructure. For example, FONATUR in Huatulco, Administración de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado in Puerto Escondido or Junta Municipal de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado in Mazatlán. You can find out who is in charge of the water infrastructure in your town with a quick internet search, “agua potable (insert community and state).”

Saving Water in Mexico

Conserving water in Mexico requires a collective effort at the individual, community, and governmental levels. Mexico’s federal government has provided federal aid to companies in some states that lower their water consumption. Different communities and municipalities manage water distribution at local levels and adjust water access accordingly.

Here are some practical tips for saving water on a household level:

Fix Leaks

Leaks are silent water wasters, often unnoticed until they result in higher bills or water damage. Regularly check faucets, toilets, and irrigation systems for leaks and promptly repair them. Utilize the services of a plumber if needed, ensuring all fixtures and pipes are in good condition.

You can check for a slow leak in the toilet by adding food coloring to the water in the tank. If the colored water appears in the toilet bowl, it means there is a leak that needs to be fixed.

Install Water-Efficient Fixtures

One of the easiest ways to save water at home is by upgrading to more efficient plumbing fixtures. Look for WaterSense-labeled showerheads, faucets, and toilets that use at least 20% less water than standard models. These fixtures are widely available across Mexico and can significantly cut your daily water usage. You can also seek out certified eco-friendly products endorsed by CONAGUA (National Water Commission) for reliability and effectiveness.

For example, replacing an older showerhead that uses 10 liters per minute with a WaterSense model that uses only 6 liters per minute can save you over 5,000 liters of water per year, just from your daily showers. Energy-certified washing machines use about 25% less energy and 33% less water than other types of washing machines.

Consider retrofitting older plumbing systems with flow restrictors and pressure regulators to optimize water pressure and minimize wastage. Consider purchasing water-saving supplies from local hardware stores and home improvement centers. If you can’t find them locally, you will find a range of online retailers specializing in eco-friendly products. You can also order energy-saving appliances and supplies from Amazon and Home Depot.

See our article, A How To Guide for Online Shopping in Mexico to know more.

Report Leaks

Vigilance in identifying and reporting public water leaks is essential. In many cases, leaks go unnoticed for extended periods, resulting in significant water loss. Each state and sometimes community in Mexico has its entity responsible for managing water resources, making it crucial for residents to familiarize themselves with local water authorities and reporting procedures. A quick internet search including “reportar fugas de agua (insert your city and state)” will quickly give you the contact.

Store Water

To mitigate the impact of water scarcity, consider investing in water storage solutions like tinacos or cisterns. These containers allow households to store water for future use, providing a buffer during periods of shortage. Rotoplas water storage tanks are popular choices in Mexico, offering durable and reliable solutions for storing clean water. Monitoring water levels and scheduling refills ensures a steady supply, even during interruptions in municipal water service.
Using your stored water brings you present to how much water your household actually uses as you monitor to be sure your water supply lasts as long as possible.

Harvest Rainwater

Take advantage of Mexico’s rainy season by implementing a rainwater harvesting system. Harnessing rainwater offers a sustainable source of water for household use. Rainwater collection systems, ranging from simple barrels to an underground cistern, capture and store rainwater for various purposes. By collecting rainwater, households can reduce reliance on municipal water supplies and conserve resources.

Xeriscape Landscaping

Adopt xeriscaping principles to create water-efficient landscapes that require minimal or no irrigation. Choose native plants adapted to local climate conditions, which are naturally resilient, slow-growing and drought-tolerant. Choose plants like agave, yucca, and bougainvillea that thrive in Mexico’s arid climate. You can also incorporate hardscaping elements like gravel, stone, and mulch to further minimize the need for watering.

Adopt Personal Water-Efficient Practices

Implement personal water-saving measures such as shortening shower time, Challenge yourself to keep showers under 5 minutes, and you could save up to 40 liters of water per person, per day. Installing a shower timer or playing a 5-minute playlist can help you stay on track. Turn off the water as you brush your teeth and use a bowl of water while shaving. This small behavior change can save you 15-20 liters per day. Be sure to run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine.

Use Greywater for Irrigation

Greywater is the waste water from sinks, showers, and washing machines that can be reused for irrigation rather than going down the drain. Installing a simple greywater system allows you to divert this water to your garden, lawn, or indoor plants.  Or just capturs water as the shower heats up in a bucket or other container and use it to water plants, flush toilets, or for household cleaning. You can also catch shower water to water plants and wash floors. Wash dishes in a basin in the sink and then use to water plants. 

Not only does this reduce your overall water usage, but it also provides nutrients for your plants. Just be sure to use biodegradable, low-sodium soaps to avoid harming your greenery.

Read more: How To Make Your Vacation Property Eco-Friendly

Educate and Raise Awareness

One of the most important steps in reducing household water usage is raising awareness and buy-in from everyone who lives with you. Educate your family, tenants, or housemates on the importance of water conservation and your specific water-saving initiatives.

Promote water conservation awareness with friends and neighbors, workplace, and community. Organize workshops, distribute educational materials, and engage in outreach activities to empower others with knowledge and practical solutions. Create conversations with neighbors about how we can save water. Advocate for sustainable water management practices and support initiatives that prioritize water conservation and protection.

Putting it All Together

Implementing even a few of these water-saving strategies in your Mexican home can have a significant impact. By making conservation a daily habit, you’ll not only reduce your personal water footprint but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of this vital resource for future generations.