Oaxaca's Mayor Utilizes Community Efforts to Tackle Water and Environmental Challenges

Oaxaca City’s Mayor, Raymundo Chagoya, has implemented a series of community-based initiatives to address the city’s pressing water challenges and improve urban infrastructure during his first six months in office.

The mayor’s approach focuses on citizen participation through “tequios” – volunteer neighborhood groups based on indigenous community values of solidarity and teamwork. These groups have been instrumental in:

Planting trees
Repairing concrete work
Cleaning public areas throughout the city

Water security has emerged as a critical priority for Chagoya’s administration. The mayor has launched comprehensive programs including “Water for All” and the “Safe Rain Program” to ensure sustainable water supply in the metropolitan area. The initiatives involve monitoring rain levels using digital platforms with early warning systems coordinated with Mexico’s National Water Commission (CONAGUA).

To address immediate water shortages, the municipal government has:

Distributed 3,500 water tanks to neighborhoods most affected by scarcity
Plans are underway to install 36 new hydrants and implement rainwater harvesting systems

The rainwater harvesting systems are expected to collect up to 56 million liters over the next three years.

Infrastructure improvements include:

The rehabilitation of several wells
Development of water treatment facilities
Construction of an oscillation tower in Xoxocotlán to improve water pressure throughout the system

The administration is also tackling environmental concerns, particularly the clean-up of the heavily polluted Atoyac River. A wastewater treatment plant near Oaxaca International Airport is now improving water quality, while major clean-up operations have removed significant trash accumulation along the riverbanks behind the Abastos municipal market.

As Oaxaca enters its rainy season and prepares for the busy Guelaguetza festival this month, Chagoya’s administration faces the test of maintaining these improvements while accommodating one of the city’s major tourism events.

For more details, you can read the full article on the Mexico News Daily website.

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