Formulación de alternativas de uso del agua con base en el balance disponibilidad – demanda en la zona de Santa Rosa, sector La Hechicera del estado Mérida

Abstract

This study was carried out at Santa Rosa area, La Hechicera, State of Merida. It aimed at estimating water accessibility of some microbasins surround the area, such as Los Animes-Honda, Agua Larga Alto, and Agua Larga Baja, being all of them Albarregas River effluents. Firstly, through systematic measurements using flow measurement devices (flumes), data was collected and allowed information for statistical characterization in determining flow occurrence probabilities. In 80 to 95 percent of the time, the probability varied between 2.50 and 17.58 l/s, and between 2.19 and 17.20 l/s, respectively. Secondly, the demand for urban, institutional, industrial and agricultural consumption was also estimated and showed demand-flow values between 5.19 and 8.47 l/s. The information obtained was used to contrast supply-demand parameters in order to know basin-water source potential and to forecast a six-month-water supply (February, March, April, July, August, and September), as well as the controversial use of water resources. This revealed some technological, ecological and institutional problems which lead to an inefficient use of this resource. For these reasons, it is necessary to present alternative proposals for a rational use, namely, higher accessibility and supply reduction.