February 17 of 2003: 12:11:48 A.M. hour of CD Juárez
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Gabriela Minjáres
El Diario


In spite of the growth of the population and a greater number of potable water outlets, the provision of this resource in Cd. Juárez was almost the same one in 2001 and 2002. The Municipal Meeting of Water and Saneamiento (JMAS) extracted almost 153 million 900 thousand cubic meters of water the last year, whereas in 2001 it consumed 153 million 858 thousand cubic meters. This represents that, even though there are more consumers, in both first years of this millenium the operating organism of the water lowered the volume of water that it extracts of the well-known water-bearing mantle the Hueco Bolson. According to the file of extracted volumes, in the 2000 JMAS consumed 155 million 631 thousand 24 cubic meters of water, almost two million more than in 2001 and 2002. Sergio Acosta del Val, president of the JMAS, indicated that this reduction in the extraction was obtained the last year although the number of outlets increased to 300 thousands, 30 thousand more than in the 2001. He explained that estimated that of the total  water extracted for the year a 15.2 percent, about 23 million, is wasted. He assured, nevertheless, that the amount of water that is wasted falls in the standard at world-wide level. Manuel Herrera Mercado, Technical director of the JMAS, adds that these numbers are a good indicator, although the objective of the dependency for the next years is to maintain it or to reduce it. Estimates that each inhabitant consumes an average of 360 to 380 liters per day, this amount they will look to reduce in the next years because it is highest in the state in comparison to Chihuahua City that registers a consumption of 260 to 280 liters. The months of greater water consumption are June, July and August here, when it surpasses 14 million 500 thousand cubic meters. Acosta del Val accepted that the goal of the Municipal Meeting of Water and Cleaning to lower or to maintain the water level in the next years is ambitious, reason why this year they will put emphasis in the implementation of programs to educate and to make conscience in the population on the care of this resource. In addition, they will launch campaigns to avoid the waste of the liquid and the exempt employees who were exempt from payment of this service because it was one of the benefits will begin to fulfill this obligation by paying.

gabrielam@diario.com.mx