At the beginning of this year, a severe drought hit the Valley of Mexico, prompting media to speculate about a total collapse of the city's water supply systems. Reservoirs located over 100 kilometers from Mexico City were dangerously low, and some areas already faced acute shortages. Water trucks started to circulate through residential avenues to alleviate the emergency, with predictions suggesting that 'Day Zero'—a day when water would run out—could arrive as early as June. However, this impending disaster never materialized, raising questions about how one of the world's largest cities managed to sidestep such a crisis.

The city’s success can be attributed to a combination of timely rainfall, urgent political pressure, and underground water reserves that provided much-needed support during the crisis. The sudden influx of rain not only alleviated immediate shortages but also enhanced the political will to address and revitalize aging water infrastructure, which has been a pressing issue in the region for years. Public attention was drawn to the decayed state of the infrastructure through media coverage, highlighting the critical need for improvements in water management and supply systems to prevent future crises.

As a result of these combined efforts, Mexico City, home to 22 million inhabitants, managed to avoid what could have been a disastrous water emergency. The incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of urban water systems in the face of climate change and the importance of robust infrastructure, proactive policies, and public engagement in managing water resources. In the long term, addressing these systemic issues will be paramount to ensuring sustainable water security in Mexico City amidst ongoing environmental challenges.