(1) The present study consists of carrying out a survey to the citizens, in order to know the social impact that a project of this nature can have in the population of Tijuana.

We are aware that ecological issues are being developed with greater impetus in our society today. Unfortunately this is not always translated into actions in favor of the environment, although it appears more frequently in media, information on the matter almost always points out the negative aspects, product of the unavoidable accidents. Although in a less profuse form, we learn about the efforts that the environmentalist groups and some governments make to avoid the ecological deterioration and the improvement of the environment.

Within the framework of the order of urban space in the city of Tijuana, they have taken place, throughout three lustrums, namely 1985-2000, a series of important projects in the matter of potable water infrastructure and of sanitary sewage system.

Through heavy investments, the supply systems, distribution, and withdrawal of waters served in the city have been put together. Just five years ago, the 90% goal of service coverage was attained with the use of 44.9% of the resources, by means of the BID/ Banobras financing of approximately 94 million dollars, whereas the service to the network of sanitary drainage reached the 71.01% goal, with 37.5% of this financing.

Facing the accelerated population growth registered in the period 1990-1995, that reached an intercensal rate average of 5.1% and for the period between the year 1995-2000, the rate of growth reached 4.81%; registering in the last census a population of 1,212,232 habitants, as opposed to the 981,592 identified by INEGI in 1995. The programs related to the supply and dwelling of served waters have received new proposals, due to the exhaustion of water volumes available and the extension of the areas to serve.

Considering the characteristics of such a complex binomial, (2) namely water supply, and retrieval of served waters, the presence arises, in an spontaneous manner, of private initiatives, always ready to be useful to face, in a creative way, the challenges of the metropolis.

In the endeavor of offering possible solutions to the specific problem of served waters , we have set out to formulate a Public Opinion study. The objective being to identify the Social Impact that the development and operation of a sewage/served-water treatment plant would have in Tijuana; as well as learning the level of acceptance and support on the citizens part, towards the construction of this project of drainage and the avail of it, seen in a different way, that is to say, like as a resource.

The study shown, has allowed us to identify several points: if the people know what a wastewater treatment plant is; determine if they know that this treated water serves for the irrigation of green areas; know if the citizens consider that this plant will benefit Tijuana; if they consider that a wastewater treatment plant is needed; if they support the construction of this plant, and if they agree for the location of this plant to be in the vicinity near the Abelardo L. Rodriguez Dam. This and more information is found within the study's results. First, a general objective will be detailed. Then, the specific objectives, the sample used, and where the methodology was used to compile the information. Later, the analysis of the most important findings are found, the results obtained with their respective percentages, and immediately after the graphics to facilitate the interpretation of the data. In order to finalize the study, the general conclusion and the attachment that contains the questionnaire used in this survey is presented.

As already mentioned, the results of the survey will enable us to evaluate the surveyed population's point of view, which will facilitate the project promoters, its objective display, as well as to anticipate any possible objections, real or imaginary, that could exist in the mind of the community. A situation that amply justifies this effort.

CONTINUE TO PART II:
EXPOSITION OF THE PROBLEM OF INVESTIGATION