Mexico City: new tap water law

Mexico City residents have shunned tap water in favor of the bottled kind for years. A law recently approved by the city’s legislators will require all restaurants to install filters allowing patrons free, drinkable water that won’t lead to stomach problems and other ailments.

A nationwide obesity epidemic has led the city’s health department to support the water initiative. Mexico City’s giant earthquake in 1985 is also much to blame for the lack of tap water usage. Pipelines and sewers burst during the quake, increasing waterborne diseases.

Officials say that 65,000 restaurants will have six months to install filters once the bill is signed later this month. Making periodic visits, health inspectors will impose fines to those who aren’t complying with the law. This law doesn’t affect the thousands of food stalls along the city’s streets.