El huachicoleo de agua, water theft, is on the rise in Mexico, and so are investigations into the theft of thousands of litres of water per second, affecting communities and businesses.

Water theft has reached alarming levels, with more than 4,000 litres per second being taken illegally in Mexico. This is more than the Cutzamala system, one of the main sources of water in the region, provides to the state. Behind this massive theft are companies, property developers and private households that use the resource in secret. In a country already facing a serious water crisis, the phenomenon of ‘huachicoleo’ threatens to exacerbate water shortages, prompting local authorities to step up their efforts to eradicate this illegal activity.

Huachicoleo hídrico is a term used to describe the illegal extraction of water, similar to the theft of fuel known as ‘huachicol’. In the case of Mexico, this crime has taken a worrying turn. Reports estimate that some of those involved in this illegal activity may be stealing up to 700,000 litres of water per second. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, but the main one is the lack of control over water sources and the high demand for this resource in areas of high urban and industrial development.

Water is stolen through clandestine tapping of unauthorised wells and traded through unregulated pipelines. In addition, real estate developments and industries are among the main actors that facilitate and encourage this type of practice. In some cases, monthly profits from hydric huachicoleo can reach 160,000 pesos, making it a lucrative business for perpetrators.

Investigations and measures to reduce water theft

Against this background, the Secretariat of Water of the State of Mexico has taken measures to combat illegal water theft. Nine investigation files have been opened for crimes related to water theft, and so far three complaints have been received from the affected population. The most common complaints are clandestine tapping, the illegal sale of water in pipes and the unauthorised use of water wells. The authorities have begun operations to stop pipes carrying stolen water, some of which have a capacity of up to 20,000 litres.

Pedro Moctezuma Barragán, Secretary of Water, stressed that these operations have focused mainly on the Valley of Mexico and the eastern zone, regions where illegal water abstraction is most prevalent. Thanks to these efforts, the crime of huachicoleo has been reduced, although the authorities believe that there is still much to be done.

The platform to combat huachicoleo: A step towards transparency

One of the most ambitious initiatives to eradicate this phenomenon is the creation of a joint digital platform between the authorities of Mexico and neighbouring states. The aim of this platform is to monitor the origin of the water, its quality and the areas with the highest incidence of huachicoleo. Transparency will be essential to identify leakages and stop the illegal exploitation of water resources.

“What we are going to do is have a system where you can see where the water comes from, what its quality is and how it is affected by the huachicoleo phenomenon,” explains Moctezuma Barragán. This platform will not only make operations more efficient, but will also be a tool to raise awareness among the population about the importance of responsible water use.

The impact of huachicoleo on Mexico’s water crisis

Illegal water theft affects the most vulnerable communities, where access to drinking water is already limited. Efforts to combat water theft are an urgent response to the growing water crisis in Mexico, which already faces serious difficulties in guaranteeing access to this vital resource.

The diversion of water through clandestine taps and unauthorised use of wells can have a serious impact on water distribution in affected areas, leading to shortages for thousands of people. In addition, companies that profit from this theft not only affect communities, but also contribute to the deterioration of existing water distribution systems, creating further problems in the long term.

The fight against huachicoleo hídricoleo

Huachicoleo hídricoleo is a serious threat to the well-being of communities in Mexico. Illegal water extraction affects all citizens, from large industries to the most modest households. However, the measures implemented by the Water Secretariat and the creation of monitoring platforms are fundamental steps to curb this crime. Both the authorities and the population need to work together to ensure that water is used responsibly and equitably.

Source (Spanish): La Verdad Noticias. See also El Universal (Pressreader)