Abstract

GOMEZ SERRANO, Jesús. Construction of the First Water Supply Network in the City of Aguascalientes, 1896-1899. Secuencia [online]. 2016, n.96, pp.107-141. ISSN 2395-8464.  https://doi.org/10.18234/secuencia.v0i96.1407.

The article refers to the construction in the city of Aguascalientes of the first potable water supply network, which forms part of the modernization program undergone by many cities in the Mexican provinces during the porfiriato. An assessment of the problems of the old linear supply system is used to describe the intervention of governor Rafael Arellano, who promoted its comprehensive reform and devised the scheme for financing this public work. The intervention proved extremely successful because the water supply improved exponentially, the council retained control of the system, the public work was completed without incurring debt and a surplus was created, making it possible for the first time in the history of the city, to provide water to individuals. In a critical dialogue with various authors, the issue becomes problematic in the context of long-term historical processes such as urban growth, industrialization, the modernization of various services, technological change, the strengthening of the state and relations between the state government and the town council.

Keywords : drinking water; supply; public work; Aguascalientes; porfiriato.