Summary

Shallow urban aquifers as a water source and sink are a key element in the urban water cycle. Unlike deep aquifer with better water quality, they are (a) more vulnerable to pollution from urban land use, (b) directly affect urban infrastructure and (c) are easily accessible and their use is difficult to control. For the latter they are often used but rarely managed.

 

The case study of San Luis Potosi (a conurbation of 1.1 million inhabitants in the semi-arid climate of central Mexico) is used to develop an evaluation framework for the potential of shallow aquifers within IUWM (Integrated Urban Water Management). The evaluation criteria include the aquifer geometry, flow regime, water quality, existing use and potential water demand. For modeling the integrated urban water balance and to compare different IUWM-scenarios the software WEAP (Water Evaluation and Planning System) is used. Options for implementation are assessed in the light of the possibilities of the Mexican water rights system and the institutional analysis of the local water sector.

 

 

 

Part of the project was the bilateral cooperation project "Planning tools for energy efficient management of urban water resources" (funded by IB-BMBF and CONACYT, 03.2010-12.2011). Besides setting up the urban water balance and different field work activities in this context, two bilateral workshops were organized with participants from government agencies, user organizations, research institutes, companies and the local water utility. The presentations and discussions centered around three topics: concepts and tools for IUWM, problems and solutions in San Luis Potosi, and the development of management scenarios.