Construction of underground drainage tunnels in the Mexico valley is the only solution to the region’s flooding problems, Josй Ramуn, sub-director of potable water and drainage at national water authority Conagua said at a press conference July 1.
Speaking at the national engineers’ day celebrations in Mexico City, Ramуn confirmed that the region’s underground drainage capacity is saturated following 24 hours of continuous rain.
The Emisor Central, the area’s only existing drainage tunnel, is at full capacity, Ramуn said. Conagua is working to drain the tunnel to support the overflow from Mexico City’s swollen Rнo de los Remedios river.
Construction of a second tunnel, the 62km Emisor Oriente, is underway and the first part will be completed next year. “Until it is completed in 2014, we do not have enough capacity to manage the storms,” said Ramуn.
Billed as the world’s largest drainage tunnel, the Emisor Oriente will boost Mexico City’s drainage capacity by 150m3/s to cope with heavy precipitation during the rainy season.
A stormwater intake system from Mexico City’s Rнo de los Remedios river is also in the process of being connected, said Ramуn.
Work includes construction of two new tunnels that will connect to the Emisor Poniente and Emisor Oriente tunnels.
“Larger tunnel capacity will bring greater security to the Mexico valley. We are working on it,” Ramуn said.
