ZOAHARIAN.COM – The clean water crisis in Guadalajara, one of the largest cities in Mexico, is increasingly worrying. Residents complain that the tap water that flows into their homes smells rotten, is cloudy brown to black in color, and is filled with mud deposits.

This condition triggered a wave of massive demonstrations which ended in clashes between residents and police officers. In the action that took place last weekend, police reportedly used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

As a result of this incident, dozens of people were injured and nearly 40 demonstrators were arrested. This incident became a national highlight and sparked calls for the government to immediately address the water crisis that has been going on for years.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also highlighted the actions of the authorities in breaking up the demonstration. He issued a strong warning and promised to evaluate two water infrastructure projects in the region.

However, tensions have not subsided. Follow-up demonstrations are expected to continue, while videos of residents showing brown to black tap water are widely circulating on social media.

93 Percent of Water Samples Contain No Residual Chlorine

The water crisis in Guadalajara is not just a problem of murky water. The results of independent monitoring carried out by the Mexican Community Development Institute (IMDEC) in June 2026 revealed worrying findings.

Of 184 household water samples taken in 90 residential areas, more than 93 percent were reported to contain no residual chlorine. In fact, chlorine is a disinfectant that is used to help kill dangerous microorganisms in the water supply system.

Laboratory tests also found indications of contamination with a number of dangerous substances, including lead, mercury, nitrates, and the bacteria Escherichia coli or E. coli which can be an indicator of contamination due to feces.

These findings raise serious concerns regarding the safety of water that people use for their daily needs.

IMDEC urges the government to declare a public health emergency status, carry out retesting through an accredited independent laboratory, and investigate the source of pollution that causes poor water quality.

Residents Claim to Have Experienced a Crisis for 15 Years

Public disappointment was seen in the demonstration on Thursday (15/10/2026) evening local time.

Aleida Morales (54), a resident of Guadalajara, revealed that the water flowing to her house has repeatedly become cloudy and brown for the last 15 years.

According to him, this problem cannot continue to be ignored, especially as Guadalajara is known as Mexico's main industrial and manufacturing center as well as one of the cities hosting the World Cup.

Morales believes that economic growth and industrial expansion should not come at the expense of public health and environmental sustainability.

"There must be other, more environmentally friendly ways to create jobs. The government's current approach is poisoning us," said Morales, quoted by Reuters, Saturday (17/10/2026).

He also recalled the environmental conditions in the area about three decades ago. According to him, his grandparents can still enjoy beautiful rivers and waterfalls, like heaven.

However, this condition has now changed greatly due to increasingly severe pollution.

Rivers Polluted by Industrial and Household Waste

Guadalajara is in the Lerma-Santiago Watershed (DAS), one of the river systems facing serious pollution problems in Mexico.

The accumulation of industrial waste, dumping of household waste, and rapid urbanization are a number of factors that worsen environmental conditions in the area.

This problem highlights the major challenges facing Mexico's metropolitan cities, from aging water infrastructure to increasing water demands due to population growth and industrial activity.

Without comprehensive improvements, pollution of water sources has the potential to continue to threaten public health and the sustainability of clean water supplies.

The government disbursed IDR 17.1 trillion

Mexico's federal government recognizes the magnitude of the environmental challenges facing the region.

In July 2026, President Claudia Sheinbaum together with Minister of the Environment Alicia Barcena launched a program to restore the Lerma-Santiago watershed and two other polluted rivers.

This program has an investment value of 20 billion pesos or around IDR 17.1 trillion. The government claims to have identified hundreds of points that are the main sources of pollution.

However, the size of the prepared budget still has to be proven through real results, especially in improving water quality and protecting public health.

Environmental engineering expert from the University of Guadalajara, Allan Tejeda, believes that the water crisis is an accumulation of environmental problems that have been ignored for years.

He highlighted waste disposal without adequate treatment, illegal dumping practices, rapid urban growth, and the lack of sustainable investment in water treatment facilities.

According to Tejeda, the currently available treatment facilities are no longer capable of handling the volume and level of pollution entering the water system.

"This systemic problem has never received the serious attention it needs," he said.

Citizens Demand Real Solutions

Support for the demonstrations also came from the National Assembly for Water, Life and Territory, a rights coalition in Mexico.

The group expressed support for the residents who took to the streets and urged the government to present a comprehensive, measurable solution with demonstrable results.

They emphasized that access to clean water should not be a privilege that only high-income people can enjoy.

"Water is not a concession right distributed by the government, nor is it a special facility that can only be purchased by wealthy groups. Water is an absolute necessity for life, health, food and the survival of society," said the group's official statement.

The Guadalajara crisis is a warning that economic development without adequate environmental management can have serious impacts on society.

Now, residents are not only demanding water that is fit for use, but also transparency, government accountability, and concrete steps to stop pollution.

For them, this issue is no longer just about murky water flowing from the tap, but concerns the basic right to live healthily and safely in their own environment.