Events at the UDA for World Water Day

On March 22, within the framework of the World Water Day commemoration, the talk “Water in times of climate crisis” was held as part of the events held under the theme: “We move through water”.

The conference was organized by the University of Azuay and the School of Environmental Engineering, together with the Municipality of Cuenca, the Telecommunications, Potable Water, Sewage and Sanitation Company of Cuenca (ETAPA EP), Metallura, the Electric Corporation of Ecuador (CELEC EP), the Environmental Management Commission, the Prefecture of Azuay, the Water Fund for the Conservation of the Paute River Basin (FONAPA) and the Municipal Basin Cleaning Company (EMAC).

The invited speaker was Bernardo Toro, National Responsible for Colombia of the Avina Foundation, who, among other things, spoke about the future challenges posed by the climate crisis.

For Toro, "if we don't start working together to prevent the rise in temperature of the planet, many of the things we can plan could be unfeasible."

During the event, Toro explained that water is the most important public good, "it is a free resource on the planet, and it is finite."

According to US Geological Survey, 72% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, however, 97% of the water is salty, therefore, it is not drinkable. Only the remaining 3% is fresh water and less than 1% is readily available. 

Therefore, according to Toro, "the problem of the future is water stress, that is, the availability of water per person."

That is the importance of, as Francisco Salgado, Rector of the University of Azuay stated, working together to "achieve the development objectives" set by the United Nations.

On the other hand, Jhoana Ochoa, Coordinator of the School of Environmental Engineering, stressed that this date is an opportunity to raise awareness "about the management, proper management and use of water resources, in addition to emphasizing the relevance of their research in the academy. ”.

Finally, Ochoa indicated that this year's agenda includes events such as: documentary screenings in the Botanical Garden, talks on the theme of water, the inauguration of the amphibian conservation area, a wildlife training workshop, among others. .

On the same day, the Publishing House of the University of Azuay presented the second edition of the work "Yanuncay River Manual: Determination of Manning's n in a river between sections of bridges" by the author Carlos Fernández de Córdova, through a transmission on Facebook Live.

The presentation was attended by local authorities who also witnessed the signing of the Act of Intent for the constitution of the Yanuncay River Basin Conservation Committee.

“This manual is the result of an arduous research work carried out in the Yanuncay River in Cuenca with the collaboration of Paúl Martínez and Martín Meneses, in addition, it is an important part of a research project for early warning of floods due to heavy rains in the city ​​”, said the author of the work.

At the event, the composition of this manual was highlighted as a valuable consultation document for the entire scientific community with an interest in the Andean rivers of our country.

Likewise, the crucial contribution of the research was highlighted since it measured the coefficient of dynamic resistance that uses the Manning n formula in the 25 sections of rivers downstream and upstream of the existing bridge structures along the riverbed. .

The material available physically and virtually is accompanied by several descriptive photographs that accompany the reader in descriptive topographic measurement methods of the channel and the values ​​calculated for the Manning coefficient by three different methods.

After the launch of the book, the Act of Intent for the constitution of the Yanuncay River Basin Conservation Committee continued, which would be held within the framework of the sustainable development goals promoted by the United Nations.

Finally, the relevant parties agree to cooperate and work with each other, accept, subscribe and sign the content of the Act.

The parties are: ETAPA EP, ELECAUSTRO SA, Ministry of Environment and Water, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the decentralized autonomous governments of the Baños, San Joaquín and Chaucha parishes and the University of Azuay.

Doménica Landy and Alondra Salinas

UDA Correspondents