Author(s)

R. Rodriguez, L. Rodriguez & F. Palma

Abstract

Social perception of polluted water consumption risk. An approximation between aquifer vulnerability assessment and water supply management in Salamanca, Mexico R. Rodriguez1 & L. Rodriguez2 & F. Palma3 1 Geophysics Institute, UNAM, Mexico 2 Faculty de Antropologia, University Veracruzana 3 ENEP Aragon, UNAM, Mexico Abstract Arsenic, lead and hydrocarbons were reported in the Salamanca aquifer system in Guanajuato State Mexico. Free phase was detected floating over a shallow aquifer unit. Groundwater is the only water supply source for the Salamanca inhabitants. A refinery, a thermoelectric plant and agrochemical industries are located in the urban area. To evaluate the social perception of the aquifer pollution risks a survey was done. The survey included more than 1,150 families in the urban area. Risk factors were correlated. The groups most at risk were identified. For Salamanca inhabitants there is not risk perception. Introduction Groundwater is the only water supply source for the Salamanca inhabitants. A refinery, a thermoelectric plant and agrochemical industries are located in the urban area. Since 1992, arsenic, lead and hydrocarbons were reported in the Salamanca aquifer system (Rodriguez et al, [1]). Free phase was detected floating over a shallow aquifer unit. This aquifer is not exploited. Salamanca inhabitants locally used groundwater with As, Pb and hydrocarbons concentrations over the national standards for drinking water for more than 10 years.

Keywords