Water Supply Source Evaluation in Unmanaged Aquifer Recharge Zones: The Mezquital Valley (Mexico) Case Study


Por: Hernandez-Espriu, Antonio, Arango-Galvan, Claudia, Reyes-Pimentel, Alfonso, Martinez-Santos, Pedro, Pita de la Paz, Carlos, Macias-Medrano, Sergio, Arias-Paz, Alberto, Agustin Brena-Naranjo, Jose

Publicada: 1 ene 2017
Resumen:
The Mezquital Valley (MV) hosts the largest unmanaged aquifer recharge scheme in the world. The metropolitan area of Mexico City discharges similar to 60 m(3)/s of raw wastewater into the valley, a substantial share of which infiltrates into the regional aquifer. In this work, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach, adapted from oil and gas reservoir modeling frameworks, to assess water supply sources located downgradient from unmanaged aquifer recharge zones. The methodology is demonstrated through its application to the Mezquital Valley region. Geological, geoelectrical, petrophysical and hydraulic information is combined into a 3D subsurface model and used to evaluate downgradient supply sources. Although hydrogeochemical variables are yet to be assessed, outcomes suggest that the newly-found groundwater sources may provide a long-term solution for water supply. Piezometric analyses based on 25-year records suggest that the MV is close to steady-state conditions. Thus, unmanaged recharge seems to have been regulating the groundwater balance for the last decades. The transition from unmanaged to managed recharge is expected to provide benefits to the MV inhabitants. It will also be likely to generate new uncertainties in relation to aquifer dynamics and downgradient systems.

Filiaciones:
Hernandez-Espriu, Antonio:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Fac Engn, Div Earth Sci, Hydrogeol Grp, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico

Arango-Galvan, Claudia:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geophys, Dept Geomagnetism & Explorat, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico

Reyes-Pimentel, Alfonso:
 Comis Nacl Hidrocarburos, Mexico City 03700, DF, Mexico

Martinez-Santos, Pedro:
 Univ Complutense Madrid, Fac Geol Sci, Dept Geodynam, E-28040 Madrid, Spain

Pita de la Paz, Carlos:
 SA CV, GEOTEM Ingn, Mexico City 14640, DF, Mexico

Macias-Medrano, Sergio:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Fac Engn, Div Earth Sci, Hydrogeol Grp, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico

Arias-Paz, Alberto:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Fac Engn, Div Earth Sci, Hydrogeol Grp, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico

Agustin Brena-Naranjo, Jose:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Engn, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
ISSN: 20734441
Editorial
MDPI AG, ST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND, Suiza
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 9 Número: 1
Páginas:
WOS Id: 000392939900004

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