Mexico’s national water commissioner, Cristobal Jaime Jaquez, says 73 percent of the country’s water, whether underground or on the surface, is a danger to public health and Mexican President Vicente Fox describes the problem as a "national security issue." Mexico has less drinking water per capita than Egypt, and 93 percent of the country’s rivers and streams are polluted. The water commission estimates that the country will need to spend $30 billion to treat enough water to match drinking needs. Cripes!, now you know why Fox has proposed a tax reform law that would charge agribusiness, mining companies, and cattle ranches for water. Currently, they use — at no cost — 70 percent of the country’s water, losing half of it to waste, leaks, and evaporation.
