Community exposure and vulnerability to water quality and availability: a case study in the mining-affected Pazña Municipality, Lake Poopó Basin, Bolivian Altiplano

• DOI: 10.1007/s00267-017-0893-5
• Publication Date: 2017-06-08T18:59:32Z
• Authors: Megan French; Natalie Alem; Stephen J. Edwards; Efraín Blanco Coa...; Helga Cauthin; Karen A. Hudson-E...; Karen Luyckx; Jorge Quintanilla; Oscar Sánchez Mir...
• Keywords: Vulnerability

Assessing water sources for drinking and irrigation along with community vulnerability, especially in developing rural regions, is important reducing risk posed by poor quality limited availability accessibility. We present a case study of mining-agricultural communities the Lake Poopó Basin, one poorest regions on Bolivian Altiplano. Here, relatively low rainfall, high evaporation, salinization unregulated mining activity have contributed to environmental degradation issues, which situation facing many Altiplano communities. Social data from 72 households chemical 27 surface groundwater sites obtained between August 2013 July 2014 were used develop locally relevant vulnerability assessment methodologies ratings respect quality, Chemical Water Quality Hazard Ratings assess status. Levels natural mining-related contamination waters (CWQHR ≥ 6; 78% assessed sites) mean that effective remediation would be challenging require substantial investment. Although fair good ≤ 5; 22% do exist, treatment may still required depending use, access issues remain problematic. There need comply legislation, improve maintain basic supply storage infrastructure, build operate wastewater plants, adequately safely contain treat mine waste. This serves as framework could elsewhere assessing mitigating affecting vulnerable populations.