THE BLUE RING

CLAIMING WATER SANCTUARY / MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

Beneath an ancient lakebed lies Mexico City’s main source of potable water. Due to high demand, this source is being depleted faster than it can be replenished. The ghost of the lake leaves behind a trace by means of a highly infiltrative loop along its perimeter that hydrates the aquifer below, designated “The Blue Ring”. While the city’s wealthy lie on the ancient lakebed with the most infrastructure to water, the poorest communities remain on the outskirts without means of access. However, these are the very communities that sit along The Blue Ring. This project aims to empower these impoverished people as guardians of this valuable land that serves the whole city. A series of water sanctuary nodes along The Blue Ring collect water from the mountains at subbasin bases to provide drinking water and graywater reuse, while linkages between redirect blackwater toward The Blue Ring for treatment and infiltration.

The first phase of the project is to relieve dependence on the aquifer by providing immediate access to areas with poor water infrastructure. By connecting the existing tributaries from the mountains to flow to various subbasin bases along The Blue Ring, communities can have a place to see where their water comes from and celebrate its sacred nature. The water gathered at these communal hubs is collected, treated, and pumped back to the community it serves for drinkable water and graywater reuse.

The second phase aims to replenish the aquifer through means of infiltration. Blackwater from the city is redirected to points along The Blue Ring, giving opportunity for green infrastructure to mitigate and treat blackwater and stormwater. The treated water is then infiltrated into The Blue Ring and is ready for potable use.

IN COLLABORATION WITH ROXANNE GLICK + YANG SU

Instructors: Rob Hutchison + Jeff Hou