Voluntary Payment for Environmental Services: water quality and supply in Mexico

The City of Saltillo is located in southeast Coahuila State, mid northern Mexico, at the outskirts of the Conchos Río Bravo hydrological basin.

From the highlands of the basin, the city depends on ground waters for both domestic and industrial water supply. The demographic boom in the 70 ́s has tapped and exploited more sources to guarantee water supply for the community. Most extraction wells on Zapalinamé mountain range slopes and canyons account for 70% of water supply. Water from this source is considered the best in terms of quality characteristics and is more cost effective since it is not pumped to supply tanks.