Abstract
In Mexico, one hundred of the 188 most important aquifers dedicated to agriculture and human consumption are over-exploited and 32 are affected by seawater intrusion in coastal areas. Considering that Mexico relies on groundwater, it is vital to develop a portfolio of alternatives to recover aquifers and examine policies and programs regarding reclaimed water and stormwater. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) may be useful for increasing water availability and adapting to climate change in semi-arid regions of Mexico. In this paper, we present an overview of water recharge projects that have been conducted in Mexico in the last 50 years, their methods for recharge, water sources, geographical distribution, and the main results obtained in each project. We found three types of MAR efforts: (1) exploratory and suitability studies for MAR, (2) pilot projects, and (3) MAR facilities that currently operate. This study includes the examination of the legal framework for MAR to identify some challenges and opportunities that Mexican regulation contains in this regard. We find that beyond the technical issues that MAR projects normally address, the regulatory framework is a barrier to increasing MAR facilities in Mexico.
Highlights
Groundwater overdraft in Mexico is a serious problem
The growth in population, changes in consumption habits, and urbanization are the primary drivers of the increase in water use, resulting in water scarcity, a condition that is becoming a threat to sustainable development in Mexico [3]
After examining the applicable regulations for groundwater and Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) (Table 2), we found that the Law of the Nation’s Water (LAN) does not include a definition of reclaimed water and the procedures that must be followed to use it for other activities neither
Summary
Groundwater overdraft in Mexico is a serious problem. One hundred of the 188 most important aquifer dedicated to agriculture and human consumption are overexploited, and 32 are affected by seawater intrusion in coastal areas [1,2]. Overexploitation of groundwater refers to the excessive withdrawal beyond the annual average recharge [1]. The growth in population, changes in consumption habits, and urbanization are the primary drivers of the increase in water use, resulting in water scarcity, a condition that is becoming a threat to sustainable development in Mexico [3]. Water scarcity refers to the geographic and temporal mismatch between freshwater demand and availability [3,4]. Natural conditions and overexploitation of groundwater [5]
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