Water for the City. Toluca City Council and the ups and downs in the Construction of Lead Service Line (1861–1866)

Abstract

In the second half of the 19th century, rapid urban and demographic growth drove Western cities to develop water infrastructure to meet basic needs. In Mexico, small cities like Toluca had a distinctive experience. This article examines the strategies undertaken by the Toluca City Council between 1861 and 1866 to ensure water supply. Drawing on local historical sources, the study explores how authorities negotiated with neighbors, business owners, clergy, and local elites, overcoming economic constraints and political conflicts. I highlight how public interest was prioritized through these efforts in a context of limited state intervention, showing that urban modernization was not exclusively driven by the State but also by local actors. The conclusions emphasize the importance of regional approaches in understanding transitions to centralized water management models in 19th-century Mexico.