Propuesta para la evaluación de la dimensión técnica de acueductos rurales y su aproximación para la sostenibilidad

Since antiquity, human beings have strived to access water by constructing structures to transport it from distant sources to central locations. Today, this remains a challenge, especially when it comes to supplying small, remote communities outside large centralized systems. In developing countries in particular, rural aqueducts are fundamental elements in water management. However, most of these systems are managed by communities with limited access to technical training, materials, technology, and resources in general, which hinders sound decision-making and prevents the establishment of sustainable processes. In this context, sustainability is linked to the ability of these systems to maintain certain quality conditions in technical, environmental, social, institutional, and economic aspects over time. This qualitative research focuses on the technical dimension of the service level in rural aqueducts and its impact on their sustainability. To this end, a documentary review was carried out to establish the components inherent to the mentioned dimension and their corresponding indicators. The selected components were: water source, intake structure, screening unit, adduction and conduction line, grit chamber, disinfection unit, storage tank, and distribution network. The selection principle was based on the structural units typically present in these systems. The technical components allow for the consolidation of an efficient and high-quality water supply. Proper design, the use of appropriate materials, and continuous maintenance ensure that the aqueduct operates safely and efficiently. This clearly contributes to the sustainability of the systems, as their integrity fundamentally depends on the physical components, which have a decisive influence on all dimensions of the system and constitute the essence of its operation.