CANCÚN, Mexico – Residents of Cancún are struggling with a double burden: soaring water costs and unreliable service. Recent economic data reveals that the state of Quintana Roo holds the third-highest water rate in Mexico, a situation that has sparked growing frustration among the local population.
According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) for 2024, the average water rate in the region has reached 13.30 pesos per cubic meter. However, this figure has surged significantly, reaching an average of 16.96 pesos by May of this year—an increase of more than 24.5%.
The financial burden is felt most acutely in the city’s suburbs, where many families face a monthly bill of approximately 298 pesos for domestic service, which includes sewerage and sanitation. Despite these payments, many neighborhoods continue to suffer from chronic shortages and low pressure.
A Systemic Crisis of Infrastructure
The lack of consistent service has led to recurring social unrest. Recently, residents of the Supermanzana 221 area staged a protest, blocking a major avenue for several hours to demand reliable water access, reporting that they had gone nearly four days without a supply.
The crisis highlights the ongoing struggle of the local water concessionaire, Aguakan. The company faces significant legal and infrastructure challenges, with its concession status currently under scrutiny by the Mexican Supreme Court (SCJN). While the government maintains that the water shortage is a result of insufficient infrastructure and pressure issues, the community views it as a failure of the concessionaire to provide the basic services for which they are being charged.
The disparity between cost and service has become a focal point for criticism, with waste and leaks across the city further compounding the problem. Residents and local activists point out that while water is being lost through systemic leaks and mismanagement, those on the outskirts are forced to pay high prices for a service that often fails to reach their homes.