A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

Oklahoma State University

Department of Environmental Sciences
ENVR 5123 Environmental Problem Analysis
Instructor: Dr. Scott Stoodley

Erika Montserrat Len Ledesma

May 2017
Stillwater Oklahoma, United States of America
ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

Table of contents

Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i

Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1

Methods and Procedures................................................................................................................ 4

1. Defining the Problem ........................................................................................................... 5

2. Objectives............................................................................................................................. 5

3. Constraints ........................................................................................................................... 8

4. Strategies ............................................................................................................................. 9

5. Keepers .............................................................................................................................. 10

6. Experimentation ................................................................................................................ 11

7. Yes! ..................................................................................................................................... 12

Conclusions ................................................................................................................................... 12

References .................................................................................................................................... 14
ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

Abstract

Texcoco is a municipality of the State of Mxico, and as part of metropolitan area of a developing
country, water pollution is an issue. A peculiarity of the area of study is its proximity to natural
reservations as well as the existence of native historical sites.

Therefore, the current concern of keeping the San Bernardino river as neat as possible is due to
increasing domestic areas that are discharging untreated wastewater into surface water from
point sources and affecting the communitys environment and health.

The present research is intended to solve the environmental problem using DOCS KEY
methodology.

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

Introduction

A great concern of the human race is subsistence, which is evidenced by thousands of years of
evolution, not just to achieve adaptability but also to transform the environment. Some
anthropogenic changes that the environment has suffered currently threaten our existence.
Those phenomena can be unevenly observed in different levels and patterns; in some places as
in the state of Mexico, it takes the form of polluted water.

The truth is that even a single human is nothing by itself, yet all together humanity can represent
a huge power, capable of destroying everything that interferes with progress. People are
capable of being aware of their own nature and of understanding the importance of being in
harmony with the environment. Thus for our own sake, posing the correct question and following
a logical methodology for Environmental Problem Solving can transform the current conditions
of the San Bernardino river into a better state of environmental welfare.

The San Bernardino river is a contributor to Texcocos basin, and due to modifications in its
riverbed it currently does not take natural runoffs (Rivera Vazquez et al., 2007).

The water of the San Bernardino river runs raw, meaning without treatment, into the Texcoco
basin, which later on arrives to the great deep wastewater reservoir of the Mexican state of
Hidalgo, where the peasants use unthreatened water to water their subsistence crops (De la
Pea, Ducci, & Zamora Plascencia, 2013).

The points at which the unloads are realized into the San Bernardino river are located relatively
near the colonies, neighborhoods and settlements that produce them; because of this, it is
thought that the risk of exposure to those residues is higher and can translate into effects on
human health (Belmont et al., 2004).

The Metropolitan Area of the Central Valley of Mexico, also known as Greater Mexico City,
includes the suburbs. The importance of keeping the basin of Texcoco unpolluted comes from

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

ancient times, as the Aztec empire settled in that area due to the richness of the soil, as well as
their rich beliefs. Nowadays, mixed and native people cohabit the valley; however, we cannot
claim greatness in our quality of life due to the consequences of a non-harmonic development.

According to the Malthusian theory, an economic theory that describes a dynamic relation exists
between human population size and human carrying capacity, it explains that the population
grows at an exponential rate whereas the resources grow in an arithmetic trend however it
doesnt include the technological factor as a part of the exponential growth of the population
function (Cohen, 1995).

The current pattern of life is based on consumption, and if for a moment we spread conscience
about the nature of our needs, humans could possibly stop running into a material competence.
Instead, we could get involved as a changing being towards the benefit of the majority. A priority
is to think about how acting today benefits our own subsistence and that of our future
generations.

The present project, along with others, is evidence of the increasing awareness of the
environmental paradigm in Mxico. Mexico is a great country with evident environmental
problems, especially in urban areas characterized by conglomeration, vast population and
westernization of consumer behavior; which therefore increases the quantity and quality of
pollution.

As industrial activity has grown, the demand of labor increased, which is why Mexico City is well
recognized as a big city with an explosion of population growth due to people migrating from the
rural areas to the capital. The urban area has expanded, now reaching its boundary neighbors,
the State of Mxico, that surrounds Mxico city.

People living in the State of Mxico face a high density of population, as a result of an unplanned
urban establishment. Some of the sanitary wastes of metropolitan dwellings are sent to the deep

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

drainage system, which are connected to waste water channels that decades ago happened to
be clean rivers.

Water pollution is all about quantities: how much of a polluting substance is released? and how
big is the volume of water it is released into? A small quantity of a pollutant may have little impact
if it is spilled into the ocean. But the same amount of the same pollutant can have a much bigger
impact if pumped into a lake or river, where there is less clean water to disperse it (Gmez &
Cayetana, 2011).

When point-source pollution enters the environment, the most affected zone is usually the area
surrounding domestic discharges. Meaning, in the San Bernardino river, the natural rivers are
used for drainage discharges. As a result, water with high organic content is discharged directly
into the river, thus causing the presence of microorganisms that contaminate water; as helminth
eggs, which represent a potential risk to the health of those people that directly use water from
this river (Martnez & Caicedo, 2016).

Although the limit of the amount of organic microorganisms polluting the water is officially
restricted by the National Water Conceal (CONAGUA), prior to the research of Rivera Vazquez et
al. (2007), there were no available records about the contamination sources and the pollutants
discharges. The aim of their research was to identify the effluent discharges to the river and their
degree of pollution. In the absence of institutional information, the present research will use
Riveras scientific results as quantifiable evidence of the current condition of the San Bernardino
river. It will also use primary data results obtained from Valds Acuayte (2011), in which data
collection reflects the neighborhood perception of the problem.

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

Methods and Procedures

The present research use the DOCS KEY methodology, as elaborated by Hughes (2007). Following
a practical user-friendly toolbox of tips for addressing the environmental challenges in a critical
approach, the author provides us with daily life examples that are of great help when applying a
logical framework into solving Environmental Problems.

DOCS KEY is a step-by-step approach that includes different stages needed to obtain a desired
outcome. The seven sequential sections are:

Definition. To clearly articulate and define the problem and the desired outcome.

Objectives. To set clear objectives that are specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable
and timely.

Constraints. To identify the constraints, boundaries, assumptions, limitations and

unacceptable impacts.

Strategies. To seek creative ideas used as strategies.

Keepers. To select the best strategies.

Experiment. To try out the strategies, and make adjustments.

Yes. Go ahead and implement the strategies.

The first step in Environmental Problem Solving is:

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

1. Defining the Problem

According to the previous literature review, it is necessary to determine which is the real problem
and the desired outcomes.

By defining the problem, the subsequent elements will be developed in the common path and
direction. It is the most difficult and the most important of all the steps. It involves diagnosing
the situation so that the focus is on the real problem and not on its symptoms.

The real problem of this research is that The San Bernardino river in Texcoco is in a chronic
polluted condition due to contaminants from point sources, resulting in negative impacts to the
aquatic ecology and human health of the region.

Facing this problem, the desired outcome or goal for this research is To define the sources of
pollution that impact the San Bernardino river, in order to implement mitigation strategies where
government and local society take part on the solution.

2. Objectives

There is an acronym that is used to guide the development of S.M.A.R.T. objectives, each
objective should be: Specific, Measurable or with Measurement, Achievable, Relevant and Time-
Oriented (Hoy & Miskel, 1987).

Specific - Answers the questions what is to be done? and how will you know it is done?;
includes the description of the observable results of the work to be done.

Measurable or with Measurement - Answers the question how will you know it meets
expectations? and defines the objective using assessable terms either in quantity (amounts and
frequency) or in quality (accuracy and format).

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

Achievable - Answers the question can it be done (achieved) giving the time frame, opportunity
and resources?

Relevant - Answers the questions should it be done?, why?, and what will be the impact?

Time-oriented - Answers the question when will it be done? sometimes a task may only have an
end point or due date; sometimes that end point or due date is the actual end of the task, or
sometimes the end point of one task is the start point of another.

Following the definitions of the S.M.A.R.T. philosophy, the objectives of the current research are:

1. To analyze the contaminant point sources by collecting enough secondary data with the
characteristics of water quality regarding the polluted condition of the San Bernardino river,
during the first stage of the project.

Specific: To analyze the contaminant point sources. The objective doesnt include the non-
point sources of contamination as there is no quantifiable data available to address the
non-point pollution sources added to the San Bernardino river.

Measurable: Collecting enough evidence of water quality data, even though it is evident
that the San Bernardino river is in a polluted condition, is not enough. Enough is to have
a list of characteristics of water quality according to the federal regulation NOM 001
SEMARNAT 1996.

Achievable: Secondary data is available, so the objective can be achieved.

Relevant: The objective is relevant to the project in order to evidence the polluted
condition of the San Bernardino river data that must be collected.

Time-oriented: During the first stage of the project. In order to continue with the second
and third parts of the project this first objective should be addressed.

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

2. On the second part of the project, to analyze secondary data to determine the negative effects
on the welfare of the aquatic ecology and human health derived from the polluted condition of
the San Bernardino river.

Specific: The objective is describing that an analysis of secondary data will help to
determine the negative impacts to the aquatic ecology and human health derived from
the polluted condition of the San Bernardino river.

Measurable: According to the environmental and human health welfare standards

described by the ONU.

Achievable: Secondary data is available, so the objective can be achieved.

Relevant: The objective is relevant to the project in order to evidence the negative effects
of preserving a polluted condition in the San Bernardino river.

Time-oriented: On the second part of the project. In order to continue with the third part
of the project, the first and second objective should have been completed.

3. To contrast advantages and disadvantages of diverse alternative waste water treatments in

order to include in a presentation for the community and local government authorities, during
the third stage of the project.

Specific: To investigate on alternative waste water treatments in order to gather

information to be presented to the San Bernardino river neighbors and authorities.

Measurable: For the treatment alternatives review to be presented to the community,

there must be enough information to be able to answer to their questions.

Achievable: A vast literature regarding alternative waste water treatments is available in

order to complete a synthesis of various options to be presented in a table of costs and
benefits to the community and government actors.
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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

Relevant: The objective is relevant because it includes the community and local
authorities in the project.

Time-oriented: During the third stage of the project. This is the last part of the project, to
involve the community and local authorities as part of a solution.

3. Constraints

The possible constraints that this research can face can be grouped into:

Methodological. There is a lack of available institutional information about water quality, as the
authorities in the subject dont have individual records. At a Federal level, CONAGUA has taken
a sample of different rivers across the country and made it representative for all the rivers in the
nation. That is why the San Bernardino river measures have been denied. At a State level, there
is no commitment to invest public resources in research. In order to address those barriers the
literature review is crucial in the data collection; Rivera Vazquez et al. (2007) and Valds Acuayte
(2011), among others will be of great utility during the first stages of the project.

Human factor. Lack of organization can be a constraint in every team project. This project involves
a team called Comuna Axolotl that has been working on some collective actions to address the
contaminated San Bernardino river concerns. This constraint should be addressed by getting to
know each others strengths, which will allow everyone to effectively divide the work among the
different stages of the project. Not aligning with a time frame will impede the achievement of
goals on time. However, if we work according to the strategies and SMART objectives, we can
follow the best path for achieving the desired outcome. Miscommunication between team
members can also be a constraint, but as previously mentioned, Hughes (2007) exemplifies how
to use different personalities in favor of a same project.

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

Implementation. The most common constraint that most researchers face is not having access to
funding. Due to the fact that research is a public good, most private companies in Mexico are not
willing to invest in research unless there is a monetary incentive. In addition to that, the State
institutions havent prioritized this kind of investigation. If the crew is not funded, the
unavailability of required tools become a constraint as well.

4. Strategies

The guide of Environmental Problem Solving demonstrates a variety of dynamic materials and
procedures to apply different strategies for attaining the goal of each objective. Using one of
them to select the most effective strategies according to the keepers criteria, the following
strategies were selected:

To investigate the origins and pathways driving the discharges on the river body by gathering
data from different research and databases that some authors have developed on measuring the
water quality of the San Bernardinos river, following (Guzman-Quintero, Palacios-Velez, Carrillo-
Gonzalez, Chavez-Morales, & Nikolskii-Gavrilov, 2007; Moreno Snchez, 2014; Navarro, 2012;
Rivera Vazquez et al., 2007.)

To evaluate the negative impacts to the aquatic environment of the San Bernardino river and
define the possible health injures due to the proximity to the river body using primary data
collection and publications of (Gmez & Cayetana, 2011; Lpez, De Los Cobos Silva, & San Roman
Sierra, 2010; Martnez & Caicedo, 2016; Valds Acuayte, 2011.)

To perform activities that engage the community and create a comparative table with the costs
and qualities of possible wastewater treatment options taken from case studies and research in
the area or with similar conditions according to the following authors: (Belmont et al., 2004;
Belmont, Ikonomou, & Metcalfe, 2006; De la Pea et al., 2013; Wendland & Albold, 2010; Zurita,
Belmont, De Anda, & White, 2011.)
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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

5. Keepers

During this part of the methodology we are wise to use a quantitative method design to the
determine the most effective strategy based on the following evaluative criteria:

There are moments in which the will and effort are not just enough to complete an objective,
that is why the most important question for selecting the strategies is How likely is the proposed
strategy to succeed?

The human factor is essential and should be contemplated in every strategy, that is why in order
of importance, the second place is How practical is to coordinate a team during the
implementation of the strategy?

As the research is not being funded by any organization, the third criteria in order of importance
is How cheap is the cost to implement the proposed strategy?

To look for the most practical way to achieve the objectives, the criteria How easily can the
proposed strategy be implemented?

In order to optimize time and resources, the criteria How quickly can the proposed strategy be
implemented?

It is important to analyze if the strategies are generating positive or negative additional impacts,
in the case of negative impacts, it would be better to do nothing, but there is also a chance of
getting positive direct, indirect and cumulative impacts, which is the reason for selecting the
criteria Will the strategy carry on additional impacts?

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

6. Experimentation

According to objective 1: To analyze the contaminant point sources by collecting enough

secondary data with the characteristics of water quality regarding the polluted condition of the
San Bernardino river, during the first stage of the project.

In action: To perform research based on available scientific information that evidences of the
pollution source points that affect the river. Following Rivera et al. (2007) five principal sources
of wastewater discharges on San Bernardino river were identified. The water quality analysis
reflected a great concentration of fecal components, overpassing regulatory limits. A fraction of
the wastewater discharge is lixiviated to subsoil and could eventually pollute groundwater.

According to objective 2: On the second part of the project, to analyze secondary data to
determine the negative effects on the welfare of the aquatic ecology and human health derived
from the polluted condition of the San Bernardino river.

In action: To improve the conditions of the river transforming the shore into a garden available
to younger generations, also, to call for the implementation of a cost effective treatment plan
that allows the biological material to regulate itself, standing up against the negative impacts of
a polluted river.

According to Objective 3: To contrast advantages and disadvantages of diverse alternative waste

water treatments in order to include in a presentation, the community and local government
authorities, during the third stage of the project.

In action: To organize activities with children to involve local community and explain the costs
and benefits of cleaning the San Bernardino river.

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

7. Yes!

We decided to divide the team, taking advantage of our differences and implementing the most
effective critical path to accomplish the objectives.

Conclusions

The existence of different methodologies for developing research leaves room for confusion and
to non-achievement of the desired goals. Following a How-to guide is of great help as it takes us
on the straight path of solving environmental problems.

Since in the moment we are now alive in, we face different types of problems, however
uncovering the essence of the real problem is important to getting answers and solutions. The
essence of the environmental problem is that the human race has not understood the obligation
of being in harmony with the environment.

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

This essential problem has diverse forms and figures, in the case of this research, the real problem
is the polluted condition of the San Bernardino river. The desired outcome is to be attained
following the DOCS KEY methodology.

The goal of the project is to define the sources of pollution that impact the San Bernardino river,
in order to implement mitigation strategies where government and local society take part on the
solution.

During the process, the objectives were transformed in order to be Specific, Measurable or with
Measurement, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Oriented.

Considering the constraints diverse, strategies were proposed and selected according to a
relevant evaluative criterion.

On the investigation and collection of secondary data, interesting ideas emerged as proof of the
continuous awakening of the human need of living in a welfare state. The truth is that even one
human is nothing by oneself, but all together we represent a huge power capable of transforming
the current conditions into a better state of environmental welfare.

Several alternative waste water treatments have been proposed; however the widespread use
of treatment wetlands in small communities such as San Bernardino may be an excellent and
economical solution to the water pollution problem that currently faces the San Bernardino river
in Texcoco State in Mexico.

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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

References

Belmont, M. A., Cantellano, E., Thompson, S., Williamson, M., Snchez, A., & Metcalfe, C. D. (2004).
Treatment of domestic wastewater in a pilot-scale natural treatment system in central Mexico.
Ecological Engineering, 23(4), 299-311.

Belmont, M. A., Ikonomou, M., & Metcalfe, C. D. (2006). Presence of nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants
in a watershed in central Mexico and removal from domestic sewage in a treatment wetland.
Environmental toxicology and chemistry, 25(1), 29-35.

Cohen, J. E. (1995). Population growth and earth's human carrying capacity. Science, 269(5222), 341.

De la Pea, M. E., Ducci, J., & Zamora Plascencia, V. (2013). Tratamiento de aguas residuales en Mxico.
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Gmez, A. A. G., & Cayetana, D. C. B. (2011). Anlisis De La Problemtica De Aguas Residuales En La Regin
De Texcoco, Estado De Mxico. Tecsistecatl(11).

Guzman-Quintero, A., Palacios-Velez, O. L., Carrillo-Gonzalez, R., Chavez-Morales, J., & Nikolskii-Gavrilov,
I. (2007). Surface water pollution at the Texcoco River basin in Mexico. Agrociencia, 41(4), 385-
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Hoy, W. K., & Miskel, C. G. (1987). Theory research and practice (Vol. 278): Educational administration,
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Hughes, J. W. (2007). Environmental problem solving: A how-to guide. University of Vermont Press, United
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Lpez, M. A., De Los Cobos Silva, J., & San Roman Sierra, J. (2010). Diagnstico ambiental para el parque
ecolgico del ex lago de Texcoco, alternativas para el uso racional de aguas residuales. Prevencion
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Martnez, P. M., & Caicedo, A. R. (2016). Estudio Preliminar sobre la Identificacin y Cuantificacin de
Huevos de Helmintos en el Estuario y Ro Atacames, Esmeraldas, Ecuador. Hallazgos21, develando
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ISLA DE BAUER, M. d. L., . . . CARRILLO-GONZLEZ, R. (2007). Coliforms and helminthes pollution
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ERIKA LEN A methodology for recovering the San Bernardino river in Texcoco State of Mexico

in the Texcoco, Chapingo and San Bernardino Rivers at the east Part of the Mexican Valley
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Valds Acuayte, d. C. M. (2011). Valoracin econmica del rescate del ro San Bernardino, Texcoco, Estado
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