Thirsty cities : urban environments and water supply in Latin America

By the end of the century, the cities of Latin America will hold almost two-thirds of the region's total population. The accessible water in most cities in Latin America has either been contaminated or cannot meet growing demand and money needed to correct this dangerous situation is either unavailable or misused. Water distribution systems are becoming obsolete, old reservoirs are decaying, consumption practices are wasteful, sewage systems are ineffective and the consequences are increased health hazards especially for the urban poor. As the quality of surface water deteriorates through contamination, groundwater may become the only safe, economical alternative. This book seeks to answer two basic questions: (1) How is the LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) region going to cope with the need to understand the nature, dynamics, and vulnerability of groundwater systems? and (2) How is it going to deal with the contradiction arising from growing needs, increasing environmental degradation, and lack of expertise and financial resources? In answering these questions the book focuses first on the physical and socio-economic environment of the LAC region, and then discusses environmental issues and the need to change existing damaging policies affecting the environment. It then presents technical information on the region's hydrological basins, and groundwater sources. An assessment of cities depending on surface water, those depending on both surface and underground water, and those depending mainly on groundwater is given. The book ends with a discussion about the management of water resources in urban areas, the sustainable development of water systems and an assessment of water resources and development options.