In the context of a water crisis and environmental challenges, two studies
addressed the severe drinking water supply issues in Iztapalapa and Nuevo
León, Mexico. The first study, conducted in 2022-2023, revealed that Monterrey
faced a crisis due to extreme drought and uneven water distribution, leading to
drastic measures like reduced household resources and scheduled distribution
times. The second study, carried out in 2025, explored persistent water
shortages in Iztapalapa, a densely populated area where residents express
dissatisfaction through protests. Using the theory of Social Representations, the
research aimed to identify how social perceptions of water evolve during crises,
integrating the concept of socio-environmental suffering. The findings
emphasized eco-anxiety's role in driving shifts toward resource care and new
practices. In Nuevo León, data from interviews and online questionnaires were
analyzed through various methods, including IRaMuTeQ software and
corresponding factor analysis. The results highlighted urgent concerns
regarding water use, with participants expressing negative emotions like stress,
frustration, and anxiety, illustrating the environmental suffering experienced and
its effect on daily habits. In Iztapalapa, press analyses compared social
representations from interviews with media narratives. The findings underscored
the importance of context and sociability, suggesting the need to consider
alternative relationships with water, particularly from indigenous perspectives.
Overall, both studies reflect the dynamic relationship between social
representations of water and adaptive practices in response to crises.