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Mexico’s Supreme Court Orders Immediate Water Access for Residents of Irregular Settlements

The unanimous ruling removes proof-of-address barriers by accepting sworn declarations to establish residence in informal communities.

Overview

  • The SCJN granted an amparo to residents of Los Kilómetros in Ciudad Juárez, directing the local water utility to deliver the minimum vital supply at once.
  • Authorities must roll out intermediate infrastructure with mass storage to ensure proper conservation and fair distribution, with Chihuahua’s finance secretariat instructed to prioritize funding.
  • The Court overturned a district judge’s dismissal, holding that in irregular settlements a declaration under oath is sufficient to prove residence for access to amparo and services.
  • The decision establishes a nationwide legal criterion reinforcing Article 4’s justiciable right to safe, uncontaminated potable water regardless of land regularization.
  • Reports specify a floor of at least 50 liters per person per day and note implementation concerns raised by some justices given broader water scarcity.