Basalt
The Mezquital Valley is a closed basin of volcanic origin that contains six distinct sub-basins. The basin’s geology has enabled groundwater quality to remain relatively intact throughout the long duration of the wastewater agriculture system. [1] The valley contains three irrigation districts for agriculture (the Tula, the Alfajayucan, and the Ajacuba) Of these three, the Tula and the Alfajayucan utilise wastewater from Mexico City for irrigation (since 1886). The irrigation districts themselves are operated and maintained by water user associations (WUAs) as a result of the 1992 National Water Law that transferred control from the federal government. However, issues have arisen with the transfer of irrigation district management, particularly in the context of WUA leadership positions sometimes concentrating power with a handful of large landowners. There has also been critique of the lacking government subsidies to assist in management, maintenance, and operations training. [2]
Footnotes:
[1] A. Cervantes Medel and M. A. Armienta, “Influence of Faulting on Groundwater Quality in Valle Del Mezquital, Mexico,” Geofísica Internacional 43, no. 3 (2004): 477–93.
[2] Enrique Palacios, “Benefits and Second Generation Problems of Irrigation Management Transfer in Mexico,” in Case Studies in Participatory Irrigation Management, ed. David Groenfeldt and Mark Svendsen, WBI Learning Resources Series (Washington, D.C.: World Bank Institute, 2000).pal
The Mezquital Valley is a closed basin of volcanic origin that contains six distinct sub-basins. The basin’s geology has enabled groundwater quality to remain relatively intact throughout the long duration of the wastewater agriculture system. [1] The valley contains three irrigation districts for agriculture (the Tula, the Alfajayucan, and the Ajacuba) Of these three, the Tula and the Alfajayucan utilise wastewater from Mexico City for irrigation (since 1886). The irrigation districts themselves are operated and maintained by water user associations (WUAs) as a result of the 1992 National Water Law that transferred control from the federal government. However, issues have arisen with the transfer of irrigation district management, particularly in the context of WUA leadership positions sometimes concentrating power with a handful of large landowners. There has also been critique of the lacking government subsidies to assist in management, maintenance, and operations training. [2]
Footnotes:
[1] A. Cervantes Medel and M. A. Armienta, “Influence of Faulting on Groundwater Quality in Valle Del Mezquital, Mexico,” Geofísica Internacional 43, no. 3 (2004): 477–93.
[2] Enrique Palacios, “Benefits and Second Generation Problems of Irrigation Management Transfer in Mexico,” in Case Studies in Participatory Irrigation Management, ed. David Groenfeldt and Mark Svendsen, WBI Learning Resources Series (Washington, D.C.: World Bank Institute, 2000).pal
