Water Conservation and Green Infrastructure Adaptations to Reduce Water Scarcity for Residential Areas with Semi-Arid Climate: Mineral de la Reforma, Mexico

Abstract

The increasing population and urban sprawl will continue to add significant pressure to natural resources in arid and semi-arid zones. This study evaluates the theoretical effectiveness of adapting resilient strategies such as water conservation and green infrastructure to mitigate the water scarcity faced by the inhabitants of a residential area with a semi-arid climate. Three scenarios were analyzed at a micro-basin level to determine the mitigation of surface runoff and the volume that can be theoretically intercepted for further use: (a) unaltered natural watershed (scenario 1), (b) currently urbanized watershed (scenario 2), and (c) watershed adapted with resilient strategies (scenario 3). For this last scenario, the annual usable volume of rainwater intercepted on the dwelling rooftops was obtained. The runoff and peak flow in the natural watershed were lower than in the other two scenarios. In contrast, a decrease in the runoff was observed in scenario 3 concerning scenario 2, which indicates that the interception of rainwater on house roofs and the adoption of green infrastructure solutions would significantly reduce the diameter of urban drainage pipes required in new developments, as well as the dependency of inhabitants on potable water services. In sites with semi-arid climates, it is possible to take advantage of the rainwater harvested on rooftops and the runoff intercepted through green infrastructure to mitigate local water scarcity problems, which should be considered and adopted in new residential developments.

Soil Sealing and Hydrological Changes during the Development of the University Campus of Elche (Spain)

“…As alternatives to mitigate surface runoff increase, nature-based solutions have been implemented around the world as a transition to more sustainable and holistic approaches to stormwater management [ 26 ]. Low Impact Development (LID) systems and practices such as bioretention cells, rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavements increase surface runoff volumes retention and are able to maintain or restore the original hydrologic cycle and its ecological functions in semi-arid urban areas [ 59 , 62 ]. As a first approximation of how the campus would have responded if green roofs and permeable pavements had been considered in the development processes, Scenario 3 was evaluated.…”

Stormwater Harvesting from Roof Catchments: A Review of Design, Efficiency, and Sustainability

“…The RWHS design depends on several key factors, such as geographical location, building structural design, quality of rainwater harvested, and relevant economic assessments. Likewise, other design parameters such as return period, design rainfall, concentration time, and peak time should be considered in adapting RWH [12]. Additional measures must also be applied in these systems as pollution in rainwater harvesting remains a concern [13].…”

Challenges of Water Sensitive Cities in Mexico: The Case of the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara

“…However, in the case of Mexico academic research considering a WSUD approach is still limited. Among the few studied cities are Mexico City [14][15][16], San Pedro Cholula [17], and Mineral de la Reforma [18]. Considering the embryonic state of this topic in Mexico and that 78% of the Mexican population lives in cities, this research aims to contribute to the WSC and WSUD literature, by focusing in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara (MAG).…”