Abstract

IBARRARAN, María Eugenia; MENDOZA, Alfonso; PASTRANA, Cristina  and  MANZANILLA, Erika Jazmín. Socio-economic determinants of surface water quality in Mexico. Región y sociedad [online]. 2017, vol.29, n.69, pp.89-125. ISSN 2448-4849.  https://doi.org/10.22198/rys.2017.69.a325.

The quality and availability of water in Mexican rivers is critical for regional and national development, but they pose serious problems. In 2006, 74 percent of the surface water in Mexico had different levels of pollution.The objective of this research is to identify the influence of socioeconomic variables in surface water quality on each of the hydrological-administrative regions (HARS) and to propose actions in order to improve its quality. After an econometric analysis, results show that surface water quality in the different HARS is affected by economic activity and population density. On the other hand, the increase of water treatment plants has little impact on reducing water pollution and the increase of treated water shows a counterproductive effect on water quality. All of these aspects should be considered when designing public policy.

Keywords : surface water; water quality; pollution of rivers; water basins; water treatment plants; public policy; econometric models.

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