In a country like Mexico, where turning on the tap and not finding water has become increasingly common, technology and digitalization are beginning to play an unexpected role in helping conserve every drop. What a few years ago seemed reserved for logistics operations or e-commerce is now applied to the care of a vital resource.
Smart sensors , cloud-based systems, and algorithms capable of detecting hidden leaks in miles of pipelines are now allies in the fight against the water crisis.
Amazon announced its first water replenishment projects in Mexico, based in Mexico City, Querétaro, and Monterrey , which together will return the equivalent of filling 130,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The initiative seeks to address one of the country’s greatest challenges: water scarcity , exacerbated by climate change and deteriorating infrastructure.
To achieve this, Amazon is implementing Amazon Web Services (AWS ) technology and solutions from specialized companies that reduce leaks, optimize pipeline pressure, and improve resource availability in vulnerable communities.
José Mario Esparza Hernández, Secretary of Integrated Water Management for Mexico City , highlighted the importance of this investment.
“This collaboration demonstrates how innovation and collaborative work between the public and private sectors can have a significant impact on the efficient use of water in our cities. Together, we are building a more sustainable and resilient future in the face of water scarcity ,” he said.
In the nation’s capital, Amazon tested a technology capable of detecting hidden leaks in old pipes and managing water pressure. The results exceeded expectations, with savings of hundreds of millions of liters in just a few months, so they are now working with authorities and technology providers to expand the program to more neighborhoods.
The problem isn’t unique to Mexico. Globally, up to 30% of the water supply is lost to leaks before reaching consumers . In Mexico City, the figure is even higher, reaching more than 40 %.
In this regard, in Mexico City and Monterrey, Amazon will work with Xylem technology to implement pressure management systems based on the AWS cloud.
These systems detect areas with excessive pressure in real time and automatically reduce it , which reduces leaks and allows for a more consistent supply for homes.
Meanwhile, in Querétaro, where the first AWS Region in Mexico was recently launched, Amazon will collaborate with Aquestia and the State Water Commission to install valves and controllers in 11 District Metering Areas (DMAs) .
Unlike traditional methods, this technology allows for immediate savings by adjusting pressure in specific areas , reducing losses without the need for extensive repairs.
According to Will Hewes, Amazon’s global leader of Water Sustainability, the three projects could conservatively save 2.5 billion liters of water annually , although initial pilots suggest the actual figure could be much higher.
“Water loss is one of the world’s greatest challenges. These initiatives show how technology and collaboration can make a difference in people’s daily lives ,” he said.
The projects in Mexico are part of a portfolio of more than 30 Amazon water replenishment initiatives around the world , and once completed, they are expected to return more than 14 billion liters of water per year .
Shannon Kellogg, vice president of Public Policy at AWS, noted that the company has pledged to be “ water positive ” by 2030 , meaning it will return more water to communities than its operations use.
“We’ve already made 53% progress toward this goal, thanks to projects like the one we announced today in Mexico ,” he said.
In addition to these community initiatives, the company is working to improve the efficiency of its own operations.
Smart meters and energy-saving devices have already been installed in more than 75% of its logistics centers in Mexico , with plans to expand to the rest of its facilities.
In Querétaro, AWS data centers are pioneers in the Americas by not using water in their cooling systems , a technological breakthrough that significantly reduces the company’s water footprint in the region.
“Our data centers in Querétaro are a source of pride because they demonstrate that innovation can go hand in hand with sustainability. It’s not just about growing our digital infrastructure, but also about doing so while protecting the communities’ most valuable resources ,” said Rubén Mugártegui, general manager of AWS Mexico.
On the other hand, as part of its corporate responsibility strategy, Amazon also launched a manual of best practices for water management through The Amazon Sustainability Exchange , with the goal of enabling other organizations to replicate and scale these solutions.
With these actions, Amazon reinforces its role not only as a technological leader, but also as a key player in the search for solutions to the global water crisis.
“At Amazon, we believe that technology can and should be at the service of major global challenges, and water is one of the most urgent. We want to demonstrate that digitalization not only transforms the way we shop and work, it can also make a difference in how we use and conserve our natural resources,” said Diana Francés, Director of Operations at Amazon Mexico.
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