A SYSTEMIC MODEL FOR THE WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE VALLEY OF MEXICO.

Abstract

The Mexico City metropolitan area is one of the bigger urban zones of the world, not only in territorial extension but also in population. It has experienced severe water supply problems along all its history. Such problems have been lately aggravated since its population has grown without specific plans. After brief introduction to the problem situation, four relevant subsystems are described, such subsystems are: pluvial precipitation, aquifer exploitation, water treatment and service management. Some critical aspects are pointed out so that they can be addressed in searching for alternatives of solution. A special emphasis is made about the little importance granted to the enormous potential of the two big own water resources of the valley, i.e. the annual precipitation (rain water) and the residual water (served water).