It’s important to understand the water situation, often classified as a crisis, before purchasing property in Oaxaca.

There are substantial costs, both direct and indirect, of owning property in Oaxaca, Mexico. All costs are exacerbated by historical building regulations (INAH), the severe water crisis, the lack of environmentally benign options for garbage disposal, the lack of modern sewage treatment, the inadequate healthcare system, and the developing air quality problem. These challenges result in roadblocks, a changing climate, and changing land use patterns. When a drought arrives, the most noticeable result is water shortages affecting the houses of Mexicans and expats alike.

The above factors have contributed to a housing crisis affecting the Oaxacan way of living, which has resulted in a 50% increase in housing prices over the last 5 years. Water shortages are simply a fact of life in Oaxaca. Fortunately, Oaxaca property owners can have control over their water situation. Simple eco-friendly construction practices will have you prepared for the next drought. Moreover, eco-friendly water projects will save you money in the long run while enhancing your property value.

The water crisis in Oaxaca is a complex issue rooted in both systemic and individual factors. A significant portion of the problem stems from the lack of investment in infrastructure, resulting in aging and inefficient water systems plagued by leaks and waste. These outdated pipelines and reservoirs struggle to meet the growing demand for water, exacerbating shortages and inefficiencies. On the other hand, homeowners also bear some responsibility, as most fail to install or upgrade to modern water systems, such as rainwater harvesting setups, efficient storage tanks, or filtration systems.

It’s not going to be productive, unfortunately, to expect the Oaxaca government to fix the water problem. It’s simply not a priority for elected officials. On the other hand, it’s easy and economically sound to take control of your water supply to ensure reliability for the future. The key is getting started now, before the next water shortage affects your property, its real estate value, and its liquidity.

Let’s examine 5 options that can be achieved in less than a few months, typically for less than a few thousand dollars. The below analysis is based on our team’s personal experience working with our network of architects, engineers, masons, plumbers, electricians, and Oaxaca homeowners just like you.
   

One solution to the Oaxaca water crisis is digging wells to access underground aquifers. Wells are the only sure way to reduce dependence on centralized infrastructure and mitigate the risk of water shortages caused by leaks or infrastructure failures. Well-digging is based on manual water detection by trained experts, and the cost depends on the water table depth below the surface. Regulations generally prohibit mechanized well drilling to access deep water, so it’s important to choose to buy property where well digging by hand is a viable option.

Another effective solution is installing a water cistern to store pumped water from wells or the municipal supply. 

A cistern acts as a reservoir, ensuring households have a backup supply during periods of low availability. The Oaxaca water authorities pump out water to houses intermittently, often less than once monthly. By holding pumped municipal water, cisterns reduce the impact of shortages and allow for a more consistent water supply. Cisterns are typically located in shaded areas beneath the house, to avoid evaporation losses. The stored water is then pumped up to the house, using a potentially automated electrical pumping system.

The most eco-friendly solution involves installing alluvial cisterns designed to collect and store rainwater. It’s a myth that Oaxaca is dry, as Oaxaca receives around 30 inches of rainfall annually. That’s more rainfall than California, which uses rainfall and snowmelt to provide water to over 40 million people in addition to over 10% of the agricultural products for the entire United States. The problem is that Oaxaca goes months without rain every year during the dry season, and very few people have bothered to collect it during the wet season.

Water recycling and reuse can be done in various ways, starting with simple methods like using 5-gallon buckets to collect soapy water from the washing machine and repurposing it to mop floors. A more advanced approach involves plumbing systems that redirect greywater from the kitchen to irrigate your garden or yard, reducing fresh water consumption. For a more complex solution, installing a biodigester allows for the processing of sewage from the bathroom, turning it into safe water for landscaping purposes. Keeping the floors clean and the gardens watered is going to cut down on the dust, which has additional health benefits.

In Oaxaca, water is neither chlorinated nor treated, which allows algae to grow in storage tanks and pipes. This growth often clogs lines, causing inefficiencies and leaks that waste significant amounts of water. A simple and cost-effective way to address this issue is by scheduling regular tank cleanings. Professional services, available for less than $25USD, can thoroughly clean tanks to prevent algae buildup, improve water flow, and help conserve this vital resource. Being proactive about your household water system is a smart and prudent way to live.

In addition to coordinating basic real estate and construction serives, Oaxaca Houses works with a network of local eco-friendly builders, engineers, and architects dedicated to improving your water situation. We are happy to connect you with experienced professionals who know how to install a sustainable water supply on your new or existing propery.