Mexico

Mexico is one of the Latin American countries where the government strongly supports water privatization. Its pro-privatization legislation is promoted elsewhere in Latin America as an example to follow. Privatization has been introduced slowly and progressively, which has made resistance to these policies and consciousness-raising difficult. As with other water market advocates, the term ‘privatization’ as such, is never used by politicians, and yet private sector participation in water utilities has consistently increased. ‘Build, operate and transfer’ contracts for treatment plants, desalination and dams are all around the country. Moreover, Mexico is now the world’s biggest per capita bottled water consumer.

With poorly performing public water utilities and widespread pollution, the struggle is not easy. However, many communities are organizing and gaining confidence to fight water privatization and promote the water commons and the human right to water.

Spanish speakers can read more about water issues in Mexico here: Las turbias aguas de la privatización en México