The capital of San Luis Potosí faces a unprecedented water crisis. Water shortages have affected all sectors of society, including businesses such as laundries. Businesses that have been impacted by the lack of water and that today are adapting to survive in difficult times.
Since February last year, the dams that used to supply the city have been out of service due to lack of rain. The El Realito dam, which supplied water to more than 30% of the population, has stopped operating due to fractures in its structure. But today, it adds to this current issue high temperatures and drought that have worsened the situation.
This has had serious repercussions on the industry. laundries or better known, such as the personal services sector, who today face a critical dilemma.
As it is for those who manage Lavandería Alondra located on Desierto Avenue, Hidro Lavandería, on Aguascalientes Street and Laundary Lavandería in Valle Dorado, who point out that, On the one hand, people still need to wash their clothes, but on the other hand, water is scarce.
Abigail Mino Reyna, from laundary Lavandería, pointed out that despite this crisis, people have chosen to prefer to wait for the water pipes instead of spending large sums of money at laundromats.
“A wash of 5 to 10 kilos of clothes can cost between 550 and 750 pesos, which is prohibitive for many in these difficult times,” he said.
Therefore, to survive, laundries have had to innovate. Well, contrary to what most would think, in the midst of a context of water shortages and drought, laundry services have decreased considerably, by 35 percent.
Well, users prefer to invest that money in tanker trucks, so that they can supply their homes, in the event that Interapas does not manage to restore their service.
“The water crisis also hits us. Many laundries have implemented water recycling systems. “They reuse water from previous washes to minimize consumption.”
In addition to this, laundries, instead of using large amounts of water, have opted for dry cleaning. This significantly reduces water use per load of laundry. Well, in each wash, up to 120 liters of water are usually used.
“In this sector we have carried out negotiations with Interapas, as it is vigilant to ensure that laundries do not waste resources. For this reason we have had to invest in dry cleaning machines to comply with water use restrictions,” said Abner Zamora Martínez, employee.
The water crisis in San Luis Potosí does not have an immediate solution. The municipal government has announced on more than one occasion that it is working on drilling and well rehabilitation projects, but the situation remains difficult.
Laundries, like many other businesses, are struggling to survive amid this crisis. Where adaptation and creativity are the key to its survival.
The water shortage has deeply affected laundries. As the crisis continues, These businesses will continue to look for innovative ways to stay afloat while the city anxiously awaits the return of the vital liquid.
On the other hand, some residents have chosen to wash their clothes at home, despite the scarcity of water.
Like Mirna Bojórquez, a housewife and mother of three children, who commented that “In my family, we have always washed clothes at home. Although the situation is difficult due to lack of water, we continue doing it to save money. Laundromats charge exorbitant prices, and we cannot afford to spend that much.”
For his part, Jorge Arroyo Barrón, a university student, pointed out that the water crisis has affected everyone. Well, even though the dams are dry, and the water supply is limited, for him going to a laundry still means a luxury that he cannot always afford.
“Sometimes I come to leave the clothes, when there is simply no business in the student house where I live. I consider that washing at home allows me to better control the use of water and be more aware of its scarcity, in addition to taking care of the expenses I have.”
A situation shared by Rosa Martínez, owner of a small grocery store, who stressed that for her washing at home is a matter of survival. Well, she has had to pay for private pipes due to the lack of water supply.
“I’d rather pay through the nose, honestly. Laundromat costs are huge, and I can’t risk spending so much on a service that is not essential. “I prefer to use that money to buy food and keep my business afloat.”
Despite the difficulties, the population has found creative ways to face the water crisis, such as reusing water, washing once a week or even washing their clothes while bathing.
