The National Water Commission (Conagua) has temporarily shut down two illegal water extraction operations located in the Cabo San Lucas aquifer in Baja California Sur. These operations were reportedly extracting water at a rate of 120 water trucks daily, equivalent to approximately 8,400 cubic meters of water per week. This urgent measure was taken as the operators could not prove the legal operation and exploitation of the resource, raising concerns over the sustainability of local water supplies.

During two inspections, Conagua officials observed that both extraction sites were operating with an average draw of 16 liters per second each. One of the illegal wells was connected to the Aqueduct III, which serves as the primary source of drinking water for the city of Los Cabos. The unauthorized extraction from this source poses a serious threat to the local water supply, exacerbating the already challenging water scarcity situation in the region.

The Cabo San Lucas aquifer is currently experiencing significant pressure, and the closure of these wells is a critical step in regulating and protecting the area's water resources. This action by Conagua underscores the increasing need for strict monitoring and enforcement of water laws in response to growing concerns over sustainable water management amid rising demand and environmental pressures in Mexico.