Research Project

Proposal
Hayden Pezzoni

Mexicos Clean
Water Problem

Memorandum

TO:

Dr. Robert Arnold

FROM:

Hayden Pezzoni

DATE:

March 19, 2015

SUBJECT:

Requesting Approval of Research Topic

Abstract: The water scarcity and pollution problem in Mexico is widespread

and seemingly unavoidable. My research will analyze in-depth the problem our
bordering neighbor country is experiencing with pollution and scarcity of the most
valuable natural resource, Water.
Introduction: Mexico has varying water issues across the entire country.
Ranging from how potable the tap water is, to how tainted the purification systems
are, even how available water is throughout the semiarid topography. For the
betterment of our neighbors, this issue of potable water scarcity is one that ought to
be addressed and researched. This research topic came to mind while I was serving
on a mission trip over spring break in Tecat, Mexico.
The differences between the resource scarcities there and the almost
indelibly available resources here are quite shocking, especially after living in such
conditions for a week. While there, we were warned to only use the tap water for
washing our hands and showering with closed mouths/eyes, because of the poor
chlorination and unrecognizable (to the naked eye) bacteria in the water. In
researching and ameliorating this issue, we could also solve other issues that may
appear to be unrelated like immigration, drug trafficking, and violent crimes, which
could stem from the poor conditions the inhabitants dwell in. Prices for bottled
water are exorbitant simply because there is no limitation on the price and the need
is well-known by stores selling the resource. In some instances, this creates tension
leading to numerous and increasingly serious conflicts driven by cartels and other
dangerous groups.
Solutions include providing items like Brita water filters and lessons on water
purification methods and recyclability of plastic bottles. Long term solutions mainly
include modified pilot multi-stage filtration (MMSF) systems in rural poverty-stricken
communities, which will collect, treat, and filter out rain water. Both solutions can be
economically feasible, given the circumstances of the donations and generosity of
the world organizations involved.

Problem: Currently, more than 12 million people in Mexico lack drinkable

water, yet, if 3% of the countrys average rainfall were captured, treated, and
distributed, 13 million people would be supplied with water.
Objectives: There are many solutions to this problem, as water scarcity is an
international issue occurring on just about every continent. I will attempt to focus on
what the country of Mexico already has an abundance/deficit of when dealing with
potable water scarcity. Why Mexico has these problems in the first place could also
be an interesting point or statement to make.

Solution: In a few Municipalities and States, operations are taking place (on
a small scale) to either construct or renovate the water management and filtration
systems. On an even smaller scale, a few world relief organizations have stepped in
and provided items like Brita water filters and lessons on water purification methods
and recyclability of plastic bottles (to alleviate the in-disposable waste problems).
Long term solutions mainly include modified pilot multi-stage filtration (MMSF)
systems in rural poverty-stricken communities, which will collect, treat, and filter out
rain water.
Qualifications: Prior knowledge and experience after being subjected to the
identified issue for one week. Im not skilled, by any means, in the process of water
purification, but am researching the issue because of the interest and realization of
how life-threatening polluted drinking water is in Mexico.
Cost: Cost will be mentioned after researching in depth the encounters that
other corporations/organizations had to deal with. This aspect of the project will
vary greatly, since there are more than a few solutions and each solution can be
utilized differently in dissimilar regions of the country.
Conclusion: Based on the research found so far, projects like this in Mexico
do exist and are prevailing in hopes of providing these people the necessity they
most in life. The research I am conducting on this issue will allow me to think about
possible solutions and ideas to think about supporting, if I am ever financially
capable of doing so, and even what I can begin to do now in terms of voting or
regulating relief organizations work efforts.

http://growingblue.com/case-studies/mexico-managing-water-shortages/ (This
source explains the issues that deal with the irrigation techniques and costs that are
depleting the water sources in Mexico currently. The sources Mexico uses to draw its
water from are becoming increasingly degraded and overused. Ultimately, this
article states that the solutions to be brought about for the revitalization of the
issue would be that more policies are needed to restrict the over usage/degradation
of water resources.)
http://www.explorandomexico.com/about-mexico/8/297/ (This source highlights the
issues faced with the filtration and distribution of water to Mexican people. The
article states that though many people in most of Mexico have the required
infrastructure for transporting/receiving water, most lack the filtration/purification
needed for the water to be drinkable. The rest of this article overlays the data on
pollution and problems of the water resources with certain numbers regarding the
costs and amount of people affected.)
http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/clean-drinking-water-mexico/ (one solution)

http://hl5ka4cm7m.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.882004&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&rfr_id=info:sid/ProQ
%3Apqdiearthsci&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitl
e=Journal+of+Water+and+Health&rft.atitle=Drinking+water+microbiological+surv
ey+of+the+Northwestern+State+of+Sinaloa%2C+Mexico&rft.au=Chaidez%2C+C
%3BSoto%2C+M%3BMartinez%2C+C%3BKeswick
%2C+B&rft.aulast=Chaidez&rft.aufirst=C&rft.date=2008-0301&rft.volume=6&rft.issue=1&rft.spage=125&rft.isbn=&rft.btitle=&rft.title=Journal
+of+Water+and+Health&rft.issn=14778920&rft_id=info:doi/10.2166%2Fwh.2007.0
11 (severity/numbers of what is impacted)
https://librarylink.uncc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=eih&AN=26699416&site=ehost-live&scope=site (Baja area,
Ensenada, Mexicos water filtration/purification plant)
https://librarylink.uncc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=eih&AN=90478131&site=ehost-live&scope=site (Mexican aquifer
number count and details)
https://librarylink.uncc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=eih&AN=61893084&site=ehost-live&scope=site (Solution: MMSF
or modified pilot multi-stage filtration)

http://search.proquest.com/georef/docview/289885945/563EF7D457A24F06PQ/8?
accountid=14605