Author(s)

ALFONSO G. BANDERAS, REBECA GONZÁLEZ-VILLELA

Abstract

The reservoir of the Valle de Bravo (BVR) dam shows acute symptoms of progressive cultural eutrophication that distances it progressively from its function as a supply source. The reservoir and the city of the same name are tourist attractions, so that, as demotechnics progress, the environmental deterioration reduces the basin capacity to provide environmental services and sustain the economic and social development of its own inhabitants. The BVR provides drinking water to the Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico (MAVM: 22 million inhabitants), through the Cutzamala System (CS), hence, since 2003 there is a Strategic Plan for the Environmental Recovery of the Basin of Amanalco-Valle de Bravo (SPERBAR), whose effectiveness is evaluated in this study, reviewing the concerning scientific and technical literature, with the objective to know what we can expect from the increases in population, pollution, sedimentation and the change of the reservoir use, respect to its sustainability as a supply source. The growing environmental impact exceeds the efforts to retain the resilience of the aquatic ecosystem. The participation of experts has not been sufficient to clarify the situation, control eutrophication and mitigate its impacts, since economic interests are imposed on the use of the reservoir, suggesting that the principles and objectives of sustainable development could not be transposed onto the specific context of tourism. The situation demands a different approach in water management and an inclusive legislation that meets the objectives of the sustainable development of all the interests at stake. Some works and actions are recommend.

Keywords

watershed, reservoir, eutrophication, management, policy, sustainability.