Mexico City: Water Torture on a Grand Scale Kurt Hollander - The Guardian
go to original April 20, 2014

In Mexico City, Holy Water is basically just tap water, and it is debatable whether the priest's blessing is enough to rid the water of all the parasites or toxic substances that swarm in it. (Kurt Hollander)

Water in Mexico City comes out of the tap in a variety of colors (yellow, rusty or earthy tints), flavors (sulfuric, chlorinated or metallic) and textures (muddy or gritty). Water that doesn't smell, taste or look funky, however, is actually more dangerous, for it can sucker people into believing that it's drinkable. In general, all those who have other options don't drink the tap water.

The quality of water supplied to buildings here has consistently been ranked at the bottom of any list of world cities. In addition, rusty pipes, mold and old water tanks made from asbestos (prohibited since the 1970s but still used in lower-income buildings) can add harmful substances to the water. Over time, poor quality water can corrode the pipes and eventually cause them to burst.

... While those living in higher-income neighborhoods get cheap, government-subsidized tap water, the poorest parts of the population have no plumbing and receive no water at all in their homes. Those who live beyond the reach of the city's water pipes must buy water from trucks (called pipas) that distribute water out of a large hose at an even higher cost. For those who have no access to hot water in their homes, or those who lack indoor plumbing, there exists banos publicos. These public baths, which are actually private businesses, offer individual and communal showers for a modest fee.

Read the rest at The Guardian

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