| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| Mexico City | The capital city of Mexico, known for its history and cultural significance. |
| Drain | To remove liquid from something. |
| Flooding | When a large amount of water overtakes something that is normally dry. |
Mexico City has faced water problems for more than 400 years. Long ago, in 1629, heavy rains flooded the city, and the water did not go away for a long time. To fix this, Mexico City built large channels to drain the water, but the plan didn’t work well. The city kept sinking, and the problem got bigger over the years.
The city used to sit on a lake called Lake Texcoco. After the Spanish came, they drained the lake to stop flooding, but this also took away a big water source. Now, Mexico City gets water from underground, but this causes the ground to sink. The city tries to fix this by building tunnels to move water, but this is not enough.
To make water safe to drink, some people use ultrafiltration. This is a way to clean water right at home. It doesn’t waste water and doesn’t need electricity. It filters out germs and dirt, making water safe to drink.
Mexico City is trying to find solutions, like using laws to manage water better, just like Tokyo, Japan, and Venice, Italy, have done. But for now, people can use ultrafiltration to help make their water safer.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| City | Ciudad |
| Problem | Problema |
| Solution | Solución |
Time to discuss
- Why do you think Mexico City has been sinking for so many years?
- What are some ways other cities have solved their water problems?
- How does ultrafiltration help families in Mexico City?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph.
- Explain why Mexico City has a water crisis.
- Discuss how ultrafiltration can help solve water problems at home.
