Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Bajío faces growing water pressure from technology and agriculture
The Bajío region of Mexico is facing water stress as agriculture competes for resources with growing technology industries.
Querétaro has 72% of the country’s installed data-center capacity, and data centers use large amounts of water.
Specialists at Invex say water and electricity shortages also make it harder to modernize farming.
They say public policy should balance industrial and agricultural needs as new technology investments move ahead.
Some areas of the Bajío restrict new water permits, and the National Water Commission has tightened checks on authorized use.
More efficient irrigation could reduce water losses, but specialists say few businesses use modern systems for growing grain, while flood irrigation can lose up to 60% through evaporation.
They also called for better water treatment and control of discharges into rivers.
The Bajío’s agricultural sector faces growing pressure on water supplies as the region attracts technology companies and data centers.
Invex specialists say water stress and depleted groundwater require balancing technology, energy and food production.
Querétaro holds 72% of Mexico’s installed data-center capacity, according to the article.
Invex specialists called for public policy to balance data-center and industrial water use with agricultural needs.
Some grain production uses inefficient irrigation methods that can lose up to 60% of water through evaporation.
- Who
- The Bajío’s agricultural sector and technology and data-center businesses. Invex specialists raised concerns about balancing their water needs.
- What
- Water demand from technology and agriculture is increasing pressure on supplies in the Bajío.
- When
- The article was published on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- The Bajío region of Mexico, including Querétaro.
- Why
- The region faces water stress, while technology investments and agriculture both require significant water.
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- Data-center capacity
- Querétaro accounts for 72% of Mexico’s installed capacity.
- Water loss
- Up to 60% of irrigation water can be lost through evaporation in flood irrigation.
- Water restrictions
- Some Bajío areas are closed to new water concessions.
- Groundwater
- The region’s aquifers show some degree of depletion.
What people are saying
A public policy should be aimed at balancing the consumption required for data centers or companies to be established, so that the agricultural sector can continue to grow.
The data center also consumes a great deal of water; it is a very important water consumer.
We have to be able to innovate so we can achieve that balance between the technological development we need, the energy development we need, but we also have to eat.