Water Sources and recharge areas in the Monterrey Metropolitan Zone

Monterrey, Nuevo León, has long grappled with water scarcity, a challenge made more severe by rapid urbanization, an arid climate, and inadequate water management strategies. Between 1990 and 2020, the population nearly doubled, rising from 2.7 million to 5.3 million inhabitants.

This rapid growth, paired with extreme weather events, has placed immense pressure on both groundwater and surface water sources.

The drought in 2022 was a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability. In response, the government was forced to implement emergency measures, including reducing the water supply, drilling new wells, and distributing water via tanker trucks.

To tackle these issues, the Permanent Forum of Binational Waters (PFBW) has developed a scientifically validated process that addresses both immediate and long-term risks related to water scarcity and urban expansion, as groundwater dependency becomes more strategic for the region.

Our strategy is designed to secure the water resources for the Monterrey Metropolitan Zone (ZMM) by identifying critical recharge areas and improving water management strategies.

Key Objectives of the Plan

Current Progress and Upcoming Phases

The project has already made significant progress, and we are seeking further investment to complete the remaining phases.

Phase	Activities	Deliverables
1: Analysis This phase, already in progress, involves identifying groundwater recharge areas and determining salinity levels.	Research and information analysis Identification of recharge areas Cataloging groundwater usage Isotopic and hydrogeochemical modeling	A report on the geological and hydrogeological framework Identification of vulnerable areas Hydrogeochemical-isotopic model
2: Modeling In this upcoming phase, we will model groundwater flow patterns and assess storage capacity. The goal is to reduce drought risks and ensure water availability under varying climate scenarios.	Flow and chemical transport modeling Adaptive groundwater management planning	Numerical groundwater flow model Final reports and an adaptive management plan

Aquifer Recharge Areas and Water Sources

The study by the Permanent Forum of Binational Waters (PFBW) on its first phase, identified a 20% reduction in high-capacity aquifer recharge areas and a 52% increase in areas with low recharge potential.

These changes, driven by urbanization and agricultural expansion, threaten the long-term sustainability of water sources in the region.

Key Findings of the Project

Impact on Recharge Areas: The study identified 1,050 km² of affected recharge zones, a magnitude comparable to 730 Fundidora Parks or one million soccer fields.

Main vulnerable municipalities by percentage of affected area and by territorial extension

Municipality	% of Vulnerable Area	Municipality	Vulnerable Area (KM²)
General Escobedo	36.6%	Santiago	133.8 KM²
El Carmen	36.6%	García	129.2 KM²
Abasolo	36.5%	Monterrey	64 KM²
Ciénega de Flores	24.4%	Santa Catarina	63.8 KM²
Hidalgo	21.1%	Mina	60.6 KM²

Hydrogeomorphological Mapping for Monterrey Metropolitan Zone

To address these challenges we created a hydrogeomorphological map that identifies priority aquifer recharge areas. This is a solution for drought Impact on the Environment.

The map considers the most important drivers for recharge according to our results:

Geology

Rock fracturing density

Topography

Surface drainage density

Soil types

Precipitation patterns

Meet our partners in the One Coast, One Community Project

The Importance of Water Source Protection

Protecting our water sources is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of Monterrey Metropolitan Zone’s water supply.

The study urges local authorities to incorporate data-driven insights into their land-use planning and water management strategies to mitigate the drought impact on the environment.

Join us in safeguarding Monterrey’s water future.