Water Crisis in Oaxaca – Mezcal Production Leaves Local Communities Without Access
Posted on March 19, 2025 in Cuervo, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Sabotage, MexicoThe massive production of mezcal in Oaxaca, Mexico, primarily targeting international markets, has precipitated a severe water crisis in the region. Communities in areas such as Tlacolula, Matatlán, and Yautepec are experiencing acute water shortages, directly linked to mezcal production. The annual production of mezcal has soared to approximately 7 million liters, leading to the extraction of over 50 million liters of water.
In addition to excessive water extraction, the mezcal industry has created another environmental hazard: untreated industrial waste. Over 70 million tons of vinazas (liquid waste) are being dumped into rivers, contaminating water sources and further worsening the crisis for surrounding communities.
Some of the biggest mezcal brands responsible for this unchecked production are tied to major international alcohol corporations, including Diageo (UK), Pernod Ricard (France), and Becle (Mexico, owner of José Cuervo). These companies profit from the global sales for mezcal while the communities in Oaxaca bear the environmental and social costs of production.
Sabotage is Big Alcohol’s deliberate actions to damage and obstruct people’s access to public goods. This strategy comprises calculated actions to break and undermine society’s rules, laws, and regulations. This strategy also includes willful activity that jeopardizes people’s access to essential resources such as water and basic food. And it includes Big Alcohol’s deliberate activities to damage or disrupt the proper functioning of society’s institutions, preventing them from addressing alcohol-related harm in the public interest. Examples of this strategy include corruption, bribery, tax evasion and avoidance, price-fixing cartels, violations of alcohol marketing rules, and other unethical practices, such as depleting scarce drinking water.