Squared Vulnerability: Impacts of Institutional Weakness in Metropolitan Aquifers

ABSTRACT Urban aquifers with high intrinsic vulnerability are increasingly at risk due to local institutional weaknesses. This issue is explored through a case study of the Arenales Aquifer recharge zone in a rapidly urbanizing area of the Salta Metropolitan Region, Argentina. In this paper, we combine an assessment of aquifer vulnerability and contamination risk with an analysis of local institutions responsible for managing urban growth and off‐grid water and sanitation services. Using the POSH method, our findings reveal a developing pattern of groundwater contamination and suggest a high risk of ongoing contamination. An institution‐wide vulnerability assessment identifies several failures, including poor urban planning, regulatory gaps, weak coordination among different levels of government, and limited community participation in water governance. The resilience of the aquifer under these conditions largely depends on institutional reforms that prioritize integrated land‐use planning, genuine community involvement, and more transparent regulatory frameworks.