“We will achieve that water reaches the high zones”

Ecatepec, Mexico's most populous municipality, is on track to ensure all its residents have access to water through the municipal network or regulated rationing by the end of 2027. Mayor Azucena Cisneros Coss stated that this goal is achievable, overcoming years of neglect, lack of maintenance, and corruption that had devastated the local water infrastructure.

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We will achieve that water reaches the high zones.

Currently, over 1.3 million of Ecatepec's nearly 1.65 million inhabitants receive water through domestic networks. A recent development includes supplying 350,000 residents in the Sierra de Guadalupe, an area historically facing significant social lag, with the activation of a master tank holding over 5 million liters. This progress was achieved through rehabilitating wells, repairing over 3,000 leaks, digitizing infrastructure, and adding 11 new wells, all through coordination between municipal, state, and federal governments.

Cisneros Coss highlighted the dire state of the water system upon her administration's arrival, finding 95 wells abandoned and valves controlled by individuals involved in illegal fuel and water sales. She noted that nearly 50% of these wells have been recovered, with 24 supported by federal investment. The mayor emphasized that the current administration is addressing the "corruption" that deprived thousands of water for years.

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We found 95 abandoned wells. The valves were in the hands of outsiders dedicated to fuel theft and irregular sales. There was a total lack of maintenance, and this caused thousands of citizens to lack water through the network for years.

Looking ahead, the administration plans to regularize service in remaining areas this year by replacing obsolete pumping systems. They are also working with autonomous community water systems in seven of the nine towns, serving between 100,000 and 150,000 people, to integrate them into the municipal network without dismantling existing structures. A significant investment of 500 million pesos from the "Plan Oriente" is dedicated to these upgrades, representing the largest water investment in the State of Mexico. The remaining challenge is the replacement of outdated pipes in 22,000 streets.

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Absolutely. This year the service will be regularized in pending areas like the Sierra de Guadalupe by changing obsolete pumping systems. We are also working with autonomous systems of the towns to guarantee water through the network. We have 500 million pesos from the Plan Oriente, the largest investment in water in the entire State of Mexico.