Deal signed to boost water in Mexico's Cutzamala system

The governments of Mexico City, the surrounding Mexico state and Michoacán state signed an agreement on Wednesday to increase the amount of water flowing into the Cutzamala water system. 

Under the agreement, Mexico City and Mexico state authorities will invest 300mn pesos (US$14.4mn) in Michoacán for “environmental services”, reported daily El Financiero. 

The aim is to boost the amount of water in the El Bosque-Colorines canal leading to the Bosque dam, which in turn feeds the Cutzamala system that serves the capital and metropolitan area. 

Michoacán will use the money to rehabilitate irrigation canals and install water systems in communities located near the highlands that feed the canal. 

Infrastructure in lower lying areas will also be improved and irrigation networks upgraded to benefit 1,600 farmers and communities that are currently being supplied with irregular water sources.

According to the federal government, the payment is an act of social justice, according to the paper, and will also serve to make the Cutzamala system more efficient and ensure better use of the water transported to the metropolitan area.