The municipality of Querétaro announced the adoption of various measures to address the emergency due to drought and contribute to the conservation of water resources. Among the planned actions is an update to the Local Ecological Order aimed at protecting aquifer recharge areas. A new Soil Conservation Standard will also be implemented, requiring the use of native vegetation with low water consumption in urban projects.
In response to the state government's emergency declaration for forest fires and the dry season, the capital municipality decided to join efforts by adopting a Water Security Protocol. This protocol will include the installation of water-saving devices in public buildings with the goal of reducing consumption by at least 50%.
In addition to the installation of saving devices, internal reforestation will be carried out in public buildings with native drought-resistant species, which will be watered exclusively with treated water. The rehabilitation of irrigation systems in public areas is also planned, the installation of low-consumption drinking fountains in schools, and the promotion of rainwater harvesting as an alternative for everyday use.
The Water Security Protocol includes regulatory measures, such as the implementation of a Water Eco-efficiency program in hotels, car washes, and other businesses, in order to promote responsible practices in the private sector. It is planned to standardize construction regulations with other municipalities to require new housing developments to plant at least one tree per household.
Finally, the municipality aims to reduce domestic water consumption during the drought season by at least 33%. To achieve this, a citizen awareness campaign will be launched on the importance of water reuse and capture in homes. It is important to highlight that the emergency declaration for forest fires and drought is already in effect, allocating 60 million pesos for the equipment of emergency bodies and support for agricultural producers.
