Water rights and scarcity face legal and environmental challenges

In Mexico, the right to water is established as a human right under Article 4 of the Constitution, which mandates that the State guarantee sufficient, healthy, and affordable water for personal and domestic consumption. Legal frameworks, including the General Water Law and rulings from the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, aim to protect citizens from total service suspensions due to non-payment, emphasizing water as a fundamental necessity for dignity and survival.

In Spain, the Vigo area is facing significant water management challenges. Local conflicts involve issues such as inadequate infrastructure planning, limited reservoir capacity, and high water loss due to leaks and fraud. Drought conditions have reached critical levels, with reservoirs like Eiras and Zamáns hitting historic lows. These environmental pressures, combined with increased tourism and changing climate patterns, have forced municipalities like Baiona to rely on Vigo’s supply network to ensure water security.