Water in Mexico City: SACMEX Cuts, Pipas, Tinacos and Bills
Who runs the water supply, how to find out about cuts, how to request a free city water truck, and what tinacos, cisterns and the water bill mean for residents.
Mexico City’s water and drainage are run by the Mexico City Water System (Sistema de Aguas de la Ciudad de México, SACMEX). To report a leak, a lack of water or to request a water truck (pipa), call Locatel at 55 5658 1111 or *0311. Water is billed every two months, and most buildings store it in tanks.
Who supplies water in Mexico City?
SACMEX operates the city’s wells, pipes, pumping stations and drainage, and it issues the water bill. Part of the city’s supply comes from outside the valley through the Cutzamala System, run by the federal water commission, CONAGUA. When Cutzamala is under maintenance or reservoirs are low, whole boroughs can see reduced pressure or scheduled cuts.
Supply is uneven across the city. Some neighborhoods get water around the clock, while others receive it on set days or hours (tandeo). Ask neighbors and the building administrator how supply works on your street before you sign a lease; our guide to checking an address with the city risk atlas covers other checks worth doing.
How do you find out about scheduled water cuts?
SACMEX announces planned cuts and maintenance work on its official site and on its social accounts, @SacmexCDMX on X and Sistema de Aguas CDMX on Facebook, which the city says are attended 24 hours. Borough governments (alcaldías) usually repost notices that affect their colonias.
- Check the SACMEX website for bulletins naming the affected colonias and dates.
- Follow your alcaldía’s accounts, since they announce local work and water truck routes.
- Fill tinacos and spare containers the day before an announced cut, and expect pressure to take time to recover after the cut ends, especially at high points.
How do you request a water truck?
Call Locatel, the city’s service line, at 55 5658 1111 or *0311 from a mobile phone. The city government named Locatel as the line for water truck requests, reports of lack of water and leaks, and for complaints about trucks diverted from their routes. Locatel also takes requests on WhatsApp at 55 5658 1111.
- Have the full address ready, with colonia, alcaldía and cross streets.
- Explain how long you have been without water and whether the whole street is affected.
- Write down the report or folio number the operator gives you.
- Make sure someone can open the door and that the truck can reach your tank or cistern.
City water trucks for households without supply are a public service. Private pipas also operate and charge per delivery; buy only from established companies and ask for a receipt.
What are tinacos and cisterns?
Because supply and pressure vary, most buildings store water on site. A cistern (cisterna) is an underground tank filled from the street main. A pump lifts water to the tinaco, a rooftop tank, which feeds the taps by gravity.
| Part | What it does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Cistern | Stores water from the main or from a pipa | Lid closed, no cracks, cleaned regularly |
| Pump | Moves water from cistern to tinaco | Working float switch so it does not run dry |
| Tinaco | Rooftop tank that feeds the apartment | Lid sealed, float valve working, periodic cleaning |
In apartment buildings, the administrator usually manages the shared cistern and pump. Ask how many liters your unit’s tinaco holds, and how often the tanks are cleaned, before a dry season.
How does the water bill work?
SACMEX bills water every two months. Homes with a working meter pay by measured consumption; homes without one may pay a fixed fee (cuota fija). The rate also depends on the development index of your block (índice de desarrollo por manzana), a classification the city publishes, which gives lower rates in less developed areas.
Bills can be paid online through the city finance office or at banks and stores with the payment reference. The water bill is accepted as proof of address for many procedures, including the city driver’s license, so keep recent ones. Property tax is a separate bill; see predial in Mexico City.
How do you report a leak?
Report leaks quickly, because a broken main can cut supply to a whole street. Report leaks in the street or sidewalk to Locatel or to SACMEX on its social accounts, with a photo and exact location. Your alcaldía also receives leak reports for its area. Leaks inside your building or apartment are the owner’s or the building’s responsibility, so tell the landlord or administrator in writing.
Bottom line
Save Locatel’s number, follow SACMEX and your alcaldía, and learn where your building’s cistern, pump and tinaco are. Before signing a lease, ask how many hours a day water arrives and who pays the water bill.
FAQ
Is tap water in Mexico City safe to drink?
Many residents drink filtered or bottled water, because the water can be affected by storage tanks and old pipes after it leaves the network. Many homes use refillable 20-liter jugs (garrafones) or filters.
Do city water trucks cost money?
City trucks sent through Locatel for homes without supply are a public service. Private pipas charge per delivery, and prices vary by volume and area.
Who pays the water bill when renting?
It depends on the lease. Many leases make the tenant pay water while the account stays in the owner’s name, so agree on it in writing and ask for the last paid bill at move-in.
