Social and Socioeconomic Implications of River Water Pollution: Challenges for Public Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22865581Abstract
The objective was to analyze the social and socioeconomic implications associated with pollution in an urban stretch of the Piura River in Peru, taking into account the challenges this issue poses for public water resource management. A quantitative, applied study was conducted using a non-experimental, observational design. The environmental component involved the analysis of 20 surface water samples collected at ten monitoring points during the rainy and dry seasons, while the social component utilized a simulated sample of 384 participants. The results integrated microbiological measurements with the social data considered in the analysis. An increase in microbiological contamination was observed toward the end of the evaluated stretch, reaching a maximum concentration of 1.4 × 10⁷ MPN/100 mL at point P9 during the dry season. Furthermore, 14 of the 20 samples exceeded the established reference value. These results made it possible to identify priority areas for strengthening monitoring, control, and pollution prevention measures. From a public management perspective, the findings highlighted the need to strengthen water resource monitoring, focus interventions on critical areas, improve control of potential pollution sources, and strengthen institutional communication with communities dependent on the resource. It was concluded that preventive, targeted management based on territorial data is a key element for the sustainable protection of urban water resources and the well-being of communities connected to the Piura River.
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