Water Consumption variation in Latin America due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

[EN] To stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments all over the world have applied social distancing measures, which have drastically altered people’s lifestyles. Many studies suggest that the water sector, including its demand and supply, has been strongly affected by these regulations. The importance of hygiene practices confers a crucial role to potable water availability as an ally for tackling the spread of the virus, heightening the alteration of water demand patterns during the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, this research aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on the water consumption patterns in four Latin-American cities and the differences among the type of users. The case studies include two Colombian and two Mexican cities known for their important industrial and touristic features. The outcomes reveal a diminishing effect on water consumption for industrial and commercial customers. Touristic cities were the most affected, even experiencing decreased domestic water demand. Understanding these changes and challenges is essential for keeping and improving the resilience of water systems in different scenarios, especially under fluctuating environmental conditions.