Water Resource Use and Management
We assess each project's water needs, available sources, and the technical and administrative conditions that may affect their use.
Wells, springs, rivers, streams, rainwater harvesting and other alternatives can be integrated into supply solutions tailored to each project's characteristics and needs.
Understand the need before choosing the source
A water supply solution does not begin by choosing a well, an intake or a storage system. First, it is essential to understand how much water the project requires, what it will be used for and the conditions at the site.
How much water is needed?
The amount required depends on project size, number of users, type of activity, expected consumption and variations that may occur during operation.
- Estimated daily consumption
- Demand fluctuations and peaks
- Future growth or expansion
What will the water be used for?
The intended use determines the characteristics of the supply system and may affect the project's technical, environmental and administrative requirements.
- Drinking water and services
- Irrigation or productive activities
- Industrial, tourism or specialized uses
What water resources are currently available?
A property may already have infrastructure, natural sources or water supply options that should be reviewed before developing a new solution.
- Existing wells or intakes
- Springs, rivers or streams
- Public utilities and other alternatives
Not every project that needs water requires a new intake
A project may obtain water from an existing source, develop a new intake, incorporate rainwater or combine different alternatives.
Assessing demand and site conditions first helps direct studies, investments and procedures toward a solution proportionate to the project's actual needs.
Explore water sourcesWhere can water come from?
Water can be sourced from groundwater, surface water, rainfall or a combination of alternatives. Each source has specific conditions concerning availability, collection, storage and management.
Wells
Groundwater can be used through existing wells or by developing a new well, when project and site conditions allow.
- Existing wells
- New wells
- Pumped extraction
Springs, rivers and streams
Surface water sources may provide supply alternatives when usable flow is available and technical and administrative conditions permit their use.
- Springs
- Rivers and streams
- Lagoons and other sources
Rainwater harvesting
Rainfall can be collected and stored for certain uses, reducing pressure on other sources and supplementing the project's water supply.
- Collection surfaces
- Storage
- Compatible uses
Complementary sources
Some projects may benefit from combining sources to improve supply continuity, distribute demand or meet specific needs.
- Public supply and a private source
- Well and rainwater harvesting
- Combinations tailored to the project
The presence of water does not automatically mean it can be used
A source must be assessed in terms of the amount of water it can provide, its behavior over time, the intended use and the project's specific conditions.
This assessment helps determine which studies, works and administrative procedures may be required before incorporating the source into the supply system.
Explore water usesWhat does the project need water for?
The same source can serve very different needs. The type of activity, amount required and manner in which water is used determine the requirements the supply system must meet.
Drinking water and services
Homes, condominiums, workplaces and other activities require sources capable of continuously meeting users' needs.
- Housing and real estate developments
- Services and commerce
- Drinking water
Hotels and tourism activities
Hotels, accommodations and tourism developments may experience variable demand related to occupancy, services, landscaped areas and other operational needs.
- Accommodation and food services
- Swimming pools and complementary services
- Landscape irrigation
Industry and agroindustry
Production processes may require water as an input, for cleaning, processing, cooling or direct incorporation into the final product.
- Industrial processes
- Food and beverage production
- Water bottling
Agriculture and farming activities
Water may be used for irrigation, livestock supply and other productive activities whose demand varies with crops, area, climate and production systems.
- Agricultural irrigation
- Livestock and watering facilities
- Agricultural and livestock activities
Finding water is not enough: the source must meet the intended use
A project may have a water source but still require storage, a different intake, a complementary source or adjustments to how the water is used.
Matching demand to supply capacity helps identify technical needs early and guide subsequent project stages.
From source to supplyFrom water source to supply system
Identifying a water source is only part of the solution. Integrating it into a project requires matching its yield to demand, intake arrangements, storage and the continuity needed during operation.
Source capacity
We determine how much water a source can provide and how its availability may vary according to its characteristics and specific conditions.
- Available flow
- Changes over time
- Water use conditions
Obtaining the water
The collection method depends on the source type, location, ground conditions and operational needs of the project.
- Pumping from wells
- Surface water intakes
- Rainwater collection
Balancing availability and consumption
Storage allows water availability to be separated in time from when the project needs to use it.
- Tanks and cisterns
- Reservoirs
- Required usable volume
Maintaining water supply
The solution must address not only average consumption but also periods of higher demand, fluctuations in the source and backup needs.
- Peak demand
- Periods of reduced availability
- Complementary sources
A solution emerges by matching project needs to what the source can provide
A source with limited flow may be sufficient when adequate storage is available, while an abundant source may not independently meet highly variable demand or demand distributed across uses.
Assessing source, demand and operations together enables a more coherent supply strategy and helps determine whether one source or several alternatives should be used.
The aim is not merely to find water, but to develop a supply arrangement compatible with actual needs and the project's intended operation.
Wells as a water supply source
A well provides groundwater for different uses, but incorporating it into a project requires considering both the source's condition and the studies, permits and procedures associated with its use.
I want to develop a new well
Before drilling, it is advisable to review the project's needs, site conditions, and the technical and administrative requirements associated with a new well.
- Initial project assessment
- Drilling permit
- Technical coordination of the process
- Subsequent testing and procedures
There is already a well on the property
An existing well can be a valuable source, but it is important to know its identification, condition, history and administrative status before including it in the project's water supply.
- Identification and history
- Available registrations and documents
- Concession status
- Suitability for the intended use
I need to know what the well can provide
When a well must supply a particular activity, measurements and studies may be needed to assess its capacity and behavior during pumping.
- Pumping tests
- Usable flow rate
- Water levels
- Related hydrogeological studies
The well is the extraction point; the aquifer is the system that supplies it
Some decisions can be addressed by examining the well itself, while others require understanding groundwater behavior around the extraction point.
Studies of water levels, groundwater flow, pumping effects, interference, protection or vulnerability fall within hydrogeology and are conducted when project conditions warrant them.
Springs, rivers and streams as water sources
Surface water sources may contribute to project supply when usable flow is available and site conditions allow an intake compatible with the intended use.
Using spring water
A spring may provide water, but its usefulness depends on available flow, variation over time and specific intake and protection conditions.
- Identification and location
- Flow measurement
- Seasonal variation
- Water use conditions
Surface water intakes
Using water from a watercourse requires assessing availability relative to project demand and the physical conditions at the intake location.
- Flow measurement
- Watercourse conditions
- Intake location
- Project demand
Lagoons and water bodies
Depending on the project, other water bodies may be assessed as potential sources or components of a supply system.
- Source condition
- Water availability
- Intended use
- Feasibility of use
A surface water source must be assessed based on its flow and behavior over time
Flow gauging measures the water flowing or emerging at a particular point and provides a basis for assessing whether the source can meet expected demand.
For springs, rivers and streams, it is also important to consider seasonal flow variations, so a single measurement must be interpreted in the context of the site and project.
The question is not only whether a source exists, but how much it can provide and under what conditions it can be integrated into the water supply.
Studies tailored to the source
The assessment may require flow measurements, territorial review, availability analysis and other studies related to source conditions and intended use.
Water use authorizations
Where applicable, the use of a surface water source must be accompanied by the procedures needed to formalize its use within the project.
View Water Use ConcessionsRainwater harvesting and complementary sources
Rainwater can be incorporated into a project's supply when suitable collection surfaces, storage capacity and uses compatible with the available resource exist.
How much rainwater can be harvested?
The potentially recoverable amount depends on rainfall, available collection area, surface characteristics and system efficiency.
- Site rainfall
- Available collection area
- Collection conditions
Storing water for when it is needed
Rainfall and consumption do not necessarily occur at the same time. Storage makes it possible to retain part of the available water for later use.
- Tanks and cisterns
- Reservoirs
- Volume based on supply and demand
Integrating rainfall into the project
Collected water can be directed to uses compatible with the system's characteristics and help reduce demand on other supply sources.
- Landscape irrigation
- Cleaning and services
- Other project-specific uses
Combining sources can be part of a water supply strategy
Rainwater harvesting does not necessarily need to replace the main source. It can meet certain needs and complement a well, surface water source or available public water supply.
Separating uses and distributing demand across different sources allows water supply alternatives to be tailored more closely to each project's conditions.
The strategy may integrate several sources, provided that their availability, storage and use are assessed as parts of one system.
Water uses requiring specific assessment
Some activities use water as an essential part of production, processing or energy generation. In these cases, the source, required flow and conditions of use must be assessed in relation to the project's overall operation.
Hydraulic power
Water energy may be harnessed for electricity generation or other hydraulic purposes without necessarily consuming the resource as the main objective.
- Source and available flow
- Site conditions
- Intended energy use
- Associated procedures
Bottling and beverages
When water is incorporated directly into a product, the source must be assessed as a fundamental component of the production process and the activity's water supply.
- Well, spring or other source
- Production demand
- Supply continuity
- Additional requirements
Aquaculture
Aquaculture systems may require substantial flow rates and specific water supply conditions depending on species, production system and water circulation patterns.
- System demand
- Available source
- Flow continuity
- Conditions of use
Specialized production processes
Industrial, agroindustrial and other activities may have high, continuous or variable water demands that require careful assessment of source, storage and operations.
- Process consumption
- Peak demand
- Required storage
- Complementary sources
When water is part of a process, it must be evaluated in the context of the entire project
For these uses, determining whether water exists is not enough. Resource availability must be considered alongside the productive activity, its continuity, required infrastructure and conditions of use.
Depending on the activity, technical studies, environmental assessments, health requirements and different institutional procedures may be involved and must be coordinated within a single strategy.
The same source may be subject to different permits, studies and authorities depending on the specific proposed use.
Managing a resource already associated with the project
An existing well, spring, surface water intake or concession can be an important property asset. Before using, modifying or incorporating it into a new project, its technical and administrative status should be understood.
What water use already exists?
The first step is to correctly identify the source, its location, history and available documentation to establish its relationship with the property and project.
- Existing wells and intakes
- Springs and surface sources
- Records and background information
Is the water use authorized?
The physical existence of a source does not necessarily mean its current use has been formally authorized or that the authorized conditions match project needs.
- Existing concessions
- Concession holder
- Authorized flow and use
- Validity and records
Has the property or activity changed?
A property sale, expansion, change in activity or increase in demand may require reviewing the conditions under which water is currently used.
- Change of owner
- Change in use
- Increase or decrease in demand
- Project expansion
Is the information incomplete or outdated?
When actual site conditions, available records and intended use differ, the information may need to be organized before proceeding.
- Document review
- Field verification
- Updating records
- Defining necessary procedures
An existing well or concession must be reviewed before assuming it can be used
On properties with existing water sources, it is advisable to verify what infrastructure is actually on site, how it is registered and under which conditions its use has been authorized.
This review can identify discrepancies in ownership, flow, use, location or documentation early, before they affect future supply or project development.
Finding a well on a property does not automatically grant the right to use its water under the conditions required by a new project.
Review
We consolidate property records, mapping, technical and administrative information related to the existing source.
Verify
Where appropriate, we compare the records with conditions observed on the property and current project needs.
Define the next steps
Based on the assessment, we determine which studies, updates or procedures may be needed to continue using the water.
Technical studies suited to the source and project
Water use may require different studies to understand a source, measure its capacity, assess its behavior or support technical and administrative decisions.
Hydrogeological studies
These help explain the groundwater system when decisions require analysis of water levels, flow, aquifers, pumping effects, protection or other subsurface conditions.
View Hydrogeological StudyPumping tests
These help observe a well's response during water extraction and provide information for assessing its usable capacity within a project.
View Pumping TestFlow measurements
These measure the flow of springs, rivers, streams and other sources to determine how much water is available at a given time.
View River and Spring Flow MeasurementsSource and demand assessment
We compare project water needs with the characteristics of available sources to guide supply alternatives and subsequent studies.
View Source and Demand AssessmentNot every water use requires the same analyses
The source type, intended use, existing information and project stage determine which studies can provide useful information for moving forward.
Our approach is to first identify what needs to be understood and then choose the appropriate technical tools, avoiding unnecessary studies or studies disconnected from the project's decisions.
A technical study should answer a specific project question and produce information that can inform subsequent decisions.
Procedures associated with water use
The source type, intended use and existing situation determine which authorizations and procedures may apply to a project. They may arise when developing a new intake or during the operation of an established water use.
Drilling and groundwater use
Developing a new groundwater source can involve several administrative stages, from drilling authorization through subsequent formalization of its use.
- Drilling permit
- Related technical documentation
- Groundwater concession
Use of springs, rivers and streams
When supply comes from a surface source, procedures may be required in relation to its intake, flow, intended use and particular project conditions.
- Water use concession
- Source information
- Required studies or measurements
Modifications and regularization
Existing water uses may require administrative procedures when ownership, activity, demand or the conditions of use change.
- Changes of concession holder
- Changes to authorized conditions
- Updates or regularization
Rainwater, energy and specialized uses
Some systems and activities are subject to specific procedures depending on how water is obtained or used.
- Rainwater harvesting
- Hydraulic power
- Other uses depending on the project
First we determine what the project needs; then we organize the procedures
The same water use may require different studies, documents and authorizations depending on the source, intended use and existing records.
Our approach connects the project's needs to the appropriate technical study and administrative procedure, rather than treating each process in isolation.
Source, technical study and administrative procedure are related components, but they are not interchangeable. Each addresses a different project need.
What is your project's situation?
You do not need to know in advance which study or permit may be required. We can begin by identifying water needs, available sources and the project's current situation.
I need a water source
We assess project needs and available alternatives before selecting a source or water supply system.
View Water Supply and SourcesI want to develop a well
We review the project, initial site conditions and the technical and administrative stages associated with a new groundwater intake.
View Well Drilling PermitThere is already a well on the property
We can review its identification, records, administrative status and relationship to current project needs.
View Existing Wells and Water UsesI have a spring, river or stream
We assess the source, its flow, intended use and the conditions that may affect its use within the project.
View Surface Water SourcesI want to harvest rainwater
We analyze rainfall, collection surfaces, storage and possible uses within a water supply strategy.
View Rainwater Harvesting and UseI need to review a concession or existing water use
We review records, ownership, authorized conditions and project changes to identify the procedures that may apply.
View Water Use ConcessionsIf you do not yet know which source, study or permit you need, we can help you identify the next steps
Tell us the location, type of project and information available. Based on an initial review, we can guide the next steps and identify the technical or administrative matters to address.