2023-11-29 18:31:46
Since 2021, civil engineers have received frequent queries regarding the causes of water scarcity in our province, which is distinguished by its climatic diversity.
This diversity, which varies by region and altitude, affects the availability and quality of water. We can identify four main zones: the eastern plain, the western plain, the mountain region and the Mar Chiquita depression. They all share a tendency towards water deficit, due to their Mediterranean characteristics and that the greatest rainfall occurs between October and April.
San Roque Reservoir
A representative example is the San Roque Reservoir basin, which supplies almost 50% of the provincial population. In the last 40 years, this basin has faced severe events of water excess and deficit. To measure them, we use the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), which allows us to compare dry or wet conditions between different regions and climates.
According to this index, the 10 most severe extreme drought events have been: September 2020, February 2004, November 2009, March 2018, August 1995, June 1986, April 2013, May 2022, January 1989, May 2022 and January 1986. The past The month of October is between eighth and ninth place in the series.
Engineering problems, like those in hydrology, are complex due to the multiplicity of concurrent factors. These factors amplify the severity of recent events, which, although severe, would not be anomalous or unlikely in the basin. Interdisciplinarity is essential to address these problems and establish solutions.
Climate change
Climate change in our region is manifested in an increase in the frequency and severity of events, both excess and deficit. This impacts local conditions and leaves a deep mark on collective memory. Anthropic factors, such as the lack of territorial development planning and increased demand in regions of low availability, also play a key role.
Continuing with the example, in the San Roque Reservoir basin the population has increased more than 125% since the 1980s and the number of homes has grown more than 300%. In addition, there is a significant temporary population during the summer periods that demands and consumes water, a scarce resource that the stable population will use during the rest of the year. Planning and development must go hand in hand to meet these challenges. The chronic lack of basic infrastructure works, both storage, distribution and treatment, amplifies the impacts of natural events, which significantly increases the risk for the population.
Addressing these issues is essential to ensure a sustainable future. Finally, it is no less important to highlight the need to raise awareness among the population regarding the rational use of water. It is the responsibility of governments to ensure that this vital resource is used efficiently and sustainably. In conclusion, water management in Córdoba is a challenge that requires not only technical solutions, but also a change in attitude and awareness on the part of all the actors involved.
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