Water management and industrial adaptation in Aguascalientes, Mexico: An in-depth survey in times of scarcity

Abstract

In recent years, water scarcity has intensified in Aguascalientes, in center Mexico, posing serious challenges for industrial growth and sustainability. This arid region, reliant on overexploited aquifers, faces an escalating demand for water amid rapid industrialization, particularly in sectors like automotive, manufacturing, and agribusiness. These industries drive economic growth, yet simultaneously heighten pressure on critical water resources. This paper explores how Aguascalientes’ leading companies, representing the top GDP contributors, measure, mitigate, and adapt their supply chains to these conditions of water stress. Through a structured survey, we examined the water management practices of these key players to assess their strategies for resource conservation and risk mitigation. Initial findings indicate a progressive shift towards implementing sustainable water management solutions, yet varying approaches to risk measurement and adaptation reveal areas needing improvement. The data provides a comparative framework for understanding corporate responses to environmental challenges and highlights potential areas for policy and technological innovation. This research underscores the urgency of sustainable water management practices and lays the groundwork for future studies comparing water management strategies across regions with differing hydrological conditions.