Purpose In Mexico, only 19.3 per cent of industrial water is treated (Green-Peace, 2014, pp. 3-4), whereas municipal treatment levels are approximately 50 per cent (CONAGUA, 2014a). This paper aims to focus on how the wastewater treatment plant policy, from a circular economy perspective, is affected by the governance context at the Presa Guadalupe sub-basin. Circular economy can contribute to water innovations that help in improving water quality. However, such benefits are not easily achieved. This case provides an example of the complexity and challenges that the implementation of a circular economy model can face. Design/methodology/approach Data are collected via semi-structured in-depth interviews with the stakeholders that are members of the Presa Guadalupe Commission. The contextual interaction theory (CIT) is the theoretical basis for this analysis (Boer de and Bressers, 2011; Bressers, 2009). Findings The findings show that the wastewater treatment plant policy plays an important role in a circular economy model. Some incentives towards a circular economy model are already in place; however, the hurdles of a top-down implementation perspective, low availability of resources, prioritisation of short-term results, lack of enforcement of the “polluter pays” principle and a linear model of water systems need to be overcome. If Mexico wants to move towards a circular economy model and if the government wants to enforce sustainable development principles, wastewater treatment is a challenge that must be addressed. Originality/value There are few studies in the circular economy literature that have analysed its implementation under a governance arrangement perspective.

This project describes a methodology designed for unconventional reservoir characterization of a field in northeast of Mexico. The target was an Upper Jurassic source rock formation, correlated with the Haynesville shale in USA. The main goals of this project were to estimate for target formation the distribution, abundance and maturity of organic matter as well as the susceptibility for fracking. This was achieved by means of parameters such as TOC, brittleness, natural fracture distribution and orientation, and principal in situ stresses orientation. This required an integrated geoscience analysis workflow comprising mainly: • Unconventional formation evaluation. • Azimuthal seismic analysis. • Geological framework. • 3D TOC and brittleness prediction. • Characterization of fracture and stresses. Formation evaluation allowed a reliable 3D TOC & brittleness prediction for the target with high correlation with well logs and supported by core data analysis. The seismofacies classification shows a remarkable consistency with TOC/brittleness in accordance with the stratigraphic model. The seismic survey was not wide azimuth, however fracture information could be successfully extracted as shown by the correlation with borehole image interpretation.