Land subsidence due to groundwater exploitation in Mexico

Problems

• Mexico’s rapid urbanization and intensive agricultural practices have led to an increased demand for water. As a result, groundwater is being extracted at unsustainable rates, leading to a drop in water levels and pressure within the aquifers. This, in turn, causes the soil particles to compact and the land surface to subside. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many of Mexico’s aquifers are located in tectonic valleys, where the geological conditions make the land more susceptible to subsidence.
  
  The subsidence in Mexico was first reported in 1925, causing differential settlements in the colonial and modern structures. The area's leveling data from 1898 to 2005 shows constant land subsidence during the whole period, with a maximum subsidence of 40 cm/yr from 1998 to 2002. Recent studies used Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) and found large subsidence rates of 30 cm/yr within the city for 2007–2011, ∼35 cm/yr for 2014–2021, and ∼45 cm/year for 2019–2020. The subsidence has damaged infrastructure and disturbed water and wastewater drainage systems. For example, differential subsidence caused the left-leaning of the Metropolitan Cathedral in CDMX.
  
   Damage to infrastructure can lead to costly repairs and maintenance, while changes in the landscape can affect agricultural productivity. Moreover, the risk of flooding increases as the land surface lowers, making certain areas more vulnerable to water-related disasters. The people living in these regions face the challenge of adapting to these changes, often with limited resources.
  
  Looking to the future, the problem of land subsidence in Mexico is expected to persist and potentially worsen if groundwater exploitation continues at the current rate. Predictive models suggest that by 2040, a significant portion of the country’s population could be affected by land subsidence, with millions of inhabitants living in areas at risk. Mexico must implement sustainable water management practices to mitigate the effects of land subsidence and protect its communities and ecosystems.
  
  Land subsidence due to groundwater exploitation is a pressing issue in Mexico that requires immediate attention. Sustainable water management practices, including the reduction of groundwater extraction and the exploration of alternative water sources, are essential to address this challenge.