Water quality and access have long been issues in Tijuana, Mexico. With a population of over 1.7 million, Tijuana relies on a mix of groundwater, surface water, and imported water to meet demand. However, rapid population growth, aging infrastructure, and cross-border water politics have strained Tijuana’s water system. This article takes an in-depth look at the current state of Tijuana’s water, including supply sources, quality concerns, and efforts to improve access.
Water Supply Sources
Tijuana gets its water from three main sources:
- Local groundwater – About half of Tijuana’s water comes from aquifers and wells within the Tijuana River watershed. However, heavy reliance on local groundwater has caused falling water tables and seawater intrusion.
- Imported surface water – The Colorado River supplies around 20% of Tijuana’s water via canals and pipelines from the All-American and East Highline Canals. However, drought and increased U.S. demand have reduced Colorado River flows.
- Reclaimed wastewater – Tijuana recycles around 30% of its wastewater to irrigate crops and parks or recharge aquifers. But recycled water is not currently safe for drinking.
Tijuana’s water comes from a precarious mix of local, imported, and reclaimed sources. Declining reservoirs make Tijuana dependent on expensive imported water. Meanwhile, heavy pumping strains aquifers. New water sources are needed to keep pace with Tijuana’s growth.
Water Distribution System
Once sourced, water is distributed in Tijuana via an aging pipeline network run by the State Water Commission of Tijuana (CEA). The CEA reports that Tijuana’s water distribution system includes:
- 18 wells that pump local groundwater
- 3 major import connections from the Colorado River
- 2 water treatment plants
- Over 3,700 miles of water mains and distribution lines
- 12 storage tanks and reservoirs
Much of the infrastructure dates to the 1970s and 1980s. Leaky, corroded pipes lose an estimated 30% of water due to system losses. Frequent pipe breaks and low water pressure trouble many neighborhoods. The CEA struggles to maintain the system with limited budgets. Major repairs and upgrades are still needed.
Water Quality Concerns
Water quality is another major issue in Tijuana. The sources, distribution system deficiencies, and wastewater pollution cause the following problems:
- Bacterial contamination – Coliform bacteria and e. coli are frequently detected in Tijuana’s drinking water due to sewage intrusion into pipelines.
- Hardness and salinity – High mineral content makes Tijuana’s water “hard.” Groundwater salinity is increasing.
- Industrial pollution – Factories have discharged heavy metals like arsenic and manganese into water sources.
- Unsafe taps – Contaminants infiltrate water in dilapidated neighborhood pipelines.
Tijuanahouseholds regularly boil tap water to kill bacteria. Many residents, especially higher income, exclusively drink bottled water as a precaution. Water purification home filters are also popular.
Water Access Inequities
Informal settlements and marginalized communities often suffer inadequate water access:
- Intermittent service – Unofficial neighborhoods get water a few hours a week if at all.
- Trucked water – In remote hills, water trucks irregularly bring water for high fees.
- Shared taps – Poorer areas have communal water taps for multiple families.
Also, higher elevation areas lack pressure for indoor plumbing. And makeshift plumbing in informal settlements is prone to leaks. These factors leave Tijuana’s marginalized relying on distant, expensive, poor quality sources.
Government Efforts
Tijuana’s government has undertaken initiatives to expand and improve water service:
- New Aqueduct – A 7 mile aqueduct was built to import more Colorado River water.
- New Water Treatment Plant – The Arturo Herrera Plant opened in 2013 to filter and disinfect water.
- New Storage Tanks – New reservoirs have been built to increase storage capacity.
- Pipeline Renovations – Old leaky pipes are gradually being upgraded across the city.
These represent steps forward. But enough financial resources have not been allocated to fully upgrade the system. And critics argue subsizided water for industry perpetuates inequities in residential supply. More ongoing investment and policy reform are still required.
The Future of Tijuana’s Water
Tijuana faces a difficult balancing act providing clean, reliable, affordable water to all residents. With the city’s continuing growth, new water infrastructure and conservation efforts will be essential. Meanwhile, tackling pollution and inequality remain priorities. Ongoing cooperation between government authorities, businesses, and communities can help map solutions. With smart planning and sufficient will and resources, Tijuana can work towards securing a sustainable water system. But it will require confronting many complex technical, environmental, and social challenges.
Conclusion
Tijuana has made progress improving its strained water system. But substantial concerns remain regarding sufficient clean water access for the city’s large and growing population. Delivering safe, reliable, affordable water equitably will require major ongoing investment and innovation in infrastructure, conservation, pollution control, and inclusive governance. The path forward is challenging but necessary to fulfill the human right to water in this major border city. Tijuana’s water future depends on building an equitable, sustainable system bringing this vital resource to all its neighborhoods.