Today I felt inspired to write this piece after our conversation about water. It’s a subject that has always mattered deeply to me. If you feel it’s appropriate, I’d be happy for it to be shared.
Understanding the water situation in San Miguel de Allende has always felt essential. People often ask if there’s enough water here. The short answer is yes. But that doesn’t mean we’re not facing a serious crisis.
San Miguel and the surrounding region, known as the Laja River Basin, depend almost entirely on underground water sources that serve over 740,000 people. These aquifers are dropping at an alarming rate—up to two meters per year.
To make things more concerning, the water that’s left is increasingly contaminated with dangerous levels of arsenic and fluoride. For those of us living in urban areas, this problem can feel distant. We have the means to buy purified water or install filtration systems at home. Rainwater harvesting systems are also becoming more common and offer a sustainable, effective solution.
But the reality in rural communities is starkly different. There, community wells are drying up, and in some cases, collapsing altogether due to the continued depletion of the water table. Entire villages are left without access to clean water, forcing families to seek out alternatives that are often unsafe, costly, or unreliable. Children are the most vulnerable in this situation. Their bodies absorb these contaminants more quickly and in greater quantities, putting their health and development at serious risk.
That’s why the work being done by Caminos de Agua is so vital. Founded in 2012, this nonprofit organization partners with a wide network of allies to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that ensure safe water access in the communities that need it most.
As residents of San Miguel de Allende, we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to support this cause. We can help by volunteering, sharing their work, or making a donation. I encourage you to visit their website to learn more about what they do and how we can give back to this beautiful city that has given us so much: www.caminosdeagua.org.
It’s an organization I’ve been fortunate to follow closely, and one I truly believe in. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.
