Mexican national water authority Conagua is carrying out feasibility studies for a 2.78bn-peso (US$221mn) program to solve drainage problems in the Mexico valley metropolitan area, a Conagua spokesperson told BNamericas.

Central to the program is a project to improve drainage and water storage in Xico lake in Mexico state (Edomex), which would include a new potable water plant worth 800mn pesos.

Once the studies are complete, Conagua will send the project to congress for approval, the spokesperson said.

The recovery of water levels in Xico lake would help combat the problem of sinkholes in Mexico City, which is currently sinking by up to 40cm/y due to the overuse of aquifers in the southeastern Mexico valley.

The lake covers 1,300ha and has an estimated capacity of 106Mm3, which would mean capacity to produce 1.2m3/s of potable water, Conagua said in a release.

Mexico City is built on an underground lake, and has a long history of flooding. Work is currently underway on the 15bn-peso Tъnel Emisor Oriente drainage tunnel, which is slated to ease the pressure on the city’s existing drainage system.

Similar Posts:

Share