Quantification of urban water demand in the Island of Santa Cruz (Galápagos Archipelago)

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Quantification of urban water demand in the Island of Santa Cruz (Galápagos Archipelago)

Journal Article (2017)

Author(s)

Maria Fernanda Reyes (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education)

Nemanja Trifunović (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education)

Saroj Kumar Sharma (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education)

Noémi D’Ozouville (Charles Darwin Foundation)

Maria D. Kennedy (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering)

Urban water Tourism Galápagos Small tropical islands Water demand management

DOI related publication

https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2017.20284 Final published version

To reference this document use

https://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:56280c39-8e46-4f88-ba54-37f6e3a6646b

More Info

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Publication Year

2017

Language

English

Volume number

64

Pages (from-to)

1-11

Downloads counter

141

Abstract

Tourism exerts a significant pressure on water resources in tropical islands and is the main reason for the increase in water demand. This paper analyzes and quantifies water demand in Santa Cruz, the most populated island of Galápagos Archipelago (Ecuador). The data for this study were collected from a survey of 374 households in the two main settlements, Puerto Ayora and Bellavista. Water supply from different sources was assessed and compared with domestic and tourist water use. The study revealed that the daily average water demand per capita differs 40% between the settlements, mainly resulting from a difference in water tariffs. The tourist sector was also confirmed as the major consumer, accounting for 55% of the total water demand. Lastly, implementation of proper water demand management measures is essential in order to develop consumers’ awareness and sustainable tourism.