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Demographic pressure on water: A regional analysis for Ecuador

Abstract:

The analysis of demographic pressure on hydrologic resources is fundamental for a sustainable water management. In this work, the Water Demographic Pressure Index (IPDA) was determined for the 55 most populated cantons of Ecuador, combining five variables: distribution of the population, population in arid zones, estimated domestic water consumption, population growth and water stress. The results obtained indicated that the greatest demographic pressure on water resources is concentrated at the Coast, while the lowest pressure occurs in the Amazon region. These results are mainly due to the relative population concentration and the hydrological and climatic conditions, affecting s the amount of available water.