Title: Environmental infrastructure and socio-economic indicators in San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Authors: Daniel E. Meeroff, Helena Solo-Gabriele, Richard Weisskoff

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Building 36, Room 222, Boca Raton, 33431 0091 FL, USA. ' Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, McArthur Engineering Building, Room 325, P.O. Box 248294, Coral Gables, 33124 0620 FL, USA. ' Department of International Studies, University of Miami, 1000 Memorial Drive, 325 Ferre Building, Coral Gables, 33146 FL, USA

Abstract: Access to water and sanitation was evaluated with respect to socio-economic factors for San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SPS), a medium-sized industrial city. A multidisciplinary analysis was conducted using socio-economic distribution and infrastructure assessments to determine the nature and extent of any existing inequalities. Although piped water access was nearly universal, socio-economic status did not always correlate with quality of service. Other notable relationships were observed with monthly expenditures, homes with dirt floors, and topography. Results indicate that SPS would benefit from improved operation and maintenance of existing infrastructure, implementation of groundwater disinfection and source water protection, and construction of sewage treatment facilities.

Keywords: water access; wastewater; infrastructure; socio-economic indicators; Honduras; San Pedro Sula; sanitation; service quality; groundwater disinfection; source water protection; sewage treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2007.016495

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2007 Vol.31 No.3/4, pp.267 - 279

Published online: 03 Jan 2008 *

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