Regional inequality in water use between the public and private sectors in the three metropolitan areas of the state of Hidalgo, 1995-2023

https://doi.org/10.33110/cimexus200107

Abstract

Climate change demands the exploration of new energy sources beyond traditional ones because surface and groundwater are dwindling. As long as water is overused for energy purposes, its scarcity will increasingly affect large segments of the population. This study analyzes the unequal distribution of water for human consumption compared to its use for economic purposes in the three Metropolitan Areas (MAs) of the state of Hidalgo, from 1995 to 2023. The study is based on the registry of well concessions granted to private individuals for extracting groundwater. The results confirm the hoarding of water as an energy-generating business, contrary to the strong pressure for its use in human consumption. The global problem of regional inequality in the Pachuca MA is critical due to climate change, which causes water shortages. At the regional level, urgent environmental mitigation measures are needed to lessen the effects of climate change.