Chapala water, enough for the ZMG this year if used responsibly: academic

This year Lake Chapala has presented favorable water levels, which they place the last season as one of the best in recent years, explained Eduardo Juárez Carrillo, academic at the University of Guadalajara.

“We see that until October 27 (the lake) was at Cota 95-99, practically at Cota 96, which would represent approximately 73.99% of the lake’s capacity. Is that In the last 14 days the water has been rising one centimeter per day, which would be equivalent to almost 13 centimeters in the last 13 days, that is, 13 cubic hectometres, remembering that each hectometer is equivalent to one million cubic meters ”, explained Eduardo Juárez, who is director of the Institute of Limnology at the University Center for Biological and Agricultural Sciences.

The above coincides with the measurements of the State Water Commission (CEA), which this Wednesday reported that the Lake is at 74.4% of its volume.

This, he said, was achieved from the last storm, that made the water of Lake Chapala rise above one meter and 70 centimeters, which represents “a lot of water for the city” if it is used properly and responsibly.

“We are certain that we will have water this year. Although only 50% of the city is fed by Lake Chapala and the other 50% depends on wells, so much water has fallen that the water tables have recovered enough, not enough, but we have enough water from Lake Chapala not to have scarcity like we had this year in which Lake Chapala had less than 50% ”, he added.

Although Guadalajara takes approximately between 30 and 40 centimeters from the level of the lake, the extreme temperatures that have occurred in recent years and climate change will cause more water to be lost each year, for example, each year Chapala loses around 1.20 meters its level due to evaporation. The above, not to mention that of the water that remains, half is lost in the pipes before reaching homes due to leaks.

“Let’s remember that 50% of the city’s water comes directly from Lake Chapala through the Chapala-Guadalajara aqueduct. But we have to start being more aware of Lake Chapala, we have to start taking better care of the water. The fact that we have water in the lagoon does not mean that we can waste water in our homes ”.

Among the measures to save and take care of water is the creation of a savings plan in which actions such as placing a bottle of water inside the toilet box, closing the faucet when brushing teeth or washing dishes are added. and use the washing machine with full loads.

Another factor that is favored with the increase in water in Chapala is that the productivity of the fish that inhabit the lake also increases and more and more are fished, especially charales, due to the characteristics that facilitate their reproduction, which which helps fishing cooperatives in the area.

THE DATA

According to the academic, around 77% of all the water in Jalisco monitored by the authorities is in Lake Chapala.

JM

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