Key facts
- Over 93% of water samples lacked detectable residual chlorine.
- Elevated levels of lead, mercury, nitrates, and E. coli were found in some samples.
- President Sheinbaum pledged to review two water infrastructure projects.
- Nearly 40 people were arrested at a recent protest.
Residents in Guadalajara, Mexico, are protesting a worsening water-quality crisis, with many households reporting foul-smelling, sediment-filled tap water. A major protest last weekend escalated into clashes with police, who used water cannons and tear gas, resulting in dozens of injuries and nearly 40 arrests. President Claudia Sheinbaum has rebuked the police response and pledged to review two water infrastructure projects for the area.
A June citizen-monitoring study by the Mexican Institute for Community Development (IMDEC) analyzed 184 household water samples and found that over 93% lacked detectable residual chlorine, indicating a lack of disinfection. The study also reported elevated levels of lead, mercury, nitrates, and E. coli in some samples.
Environmental experts attribute the crisis to years of accumulated pressures including untreated wastewater, industrial pollution, rapid urban growth, and underinvestment in water infrastructure. The National Assembly for Water, Life, and Territory, a Mexican rights coalition, has expressed solidarity with the protesters, calling for a comprehensive solution to the water crisis.