| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| Aquifer | A natural underground area where water is stored. |
| Subsidence | Gradual sinking of land due to the removal of underground water. |
| Ultrafiltration | A process that cleans water by removing bacteria and other particles. |
Mexico City has been dealing with water problems for more than 400 years. This started in 1629 when heavy rains flooded the city. The city tried to solve this by building drainage systems, but these have often failed, causing more issues like diseases from dirty water.
Originally, the city of Tenochtitlán, now Mexico City, was built on a lake. But over the years, engineers drained the lake to stop flooding, which also reduced the city’s water supply. To get more water, they started pumping it from underground aquifers. This caused the ground to sink, a process called subsidence. In some areas, the land sinks by about 50 centimeters each year.
Today, the city’s water system leaks a lot, losing about 40% of its water. Plus, the water can get contaminated with harmful substances like arsenic and bacteria. Big companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo also use a lot of water from the same sources.
Some cities like Tokyo and Venice, Italy, have solved similar problems by changing laws to stop using groundwater. They now use surface water, which has helped stop the land from sinking.
In Mexico City, one way people can help is by using ultrafiltration devices at home. These devices clean water without using extra resources, making it safer to drink without wasting water.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| System | Sistema |
| Tokyo | Tokio |
| Contamination | Contaminación |
Time to discuss
- Why do you think draining the lake caused more problems for Mexico City?
- How can new laws help solve the subsidence problem?
- What are some benefits of using ultrafiltration at home?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph.
- Explain how subsidence affects Mexico City’s infrastructure.
- What lessons can Mexico City learn from Tokyo and Venice?
