Lack of maintenance is key challenge to Mexico's water sector

An average 43% of water is lost due to poorly maintained water distribution pipelines in Mexico, said Proactiva Medio Ambientedirector Sebastián Buira during the third annual Mexico Infrastructure Summit held in Mexico City.

"It's a scandal. We're wasting just under half of the water supplied," said Buira.

While the majority of potable water projects focus on ways to increase the water supply, Buira suggests that these projects are futile until the distribution network is repaired.

Buira also cautions that the longer these repair works are put off, the higher the bill will be once the system collapses.

This lack of physical efficiency applies across the sector, including distribution pipelines and potable water and wastewater treatment plants.

Many wastewater treatment plants in Mexico were built and subsequently left with neither the qualified personnel nor the financial resources to maintain them.

"There are many plants across the country that aren't operating because of a lack of maintenance, and the municipal governments need to gain a better understanding of this issue," said Lucina Equihua, director of Latin American operations for ​Degrémont.