Community Management and Sustainability of Water Supply in a Rural Area of Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

Water scarcity in rural areas represents a structural challenge that undermines social well-being, public health, and ecological sustainability. This study analyzes the water supply system in the community of Las Ánimas, located in the municipality of Tecoanapa, Guerrero (Mexico), with the aim of understanding the dynamics of access, use, and community-based management of water resources. A participatory qualitative approach was employed, complemented by quantitative tools, including semi-structured interviews, fieldwork, and community workshops. The results reveal strong pressure on water resources during the dry season, contamination of springs due to intensive agricultural practices, a lack of wastewater treatment infrastructure, and organizational weaknesses within the local water committee. Nevertheless, the study identified key elements of autonomous governance, such as community rules, social monitoring, and shared responsibility in the management of the resource. The study concludes that strengthening community water governance—together with territorially focused public policies, environmental restoration, and water education—is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of water supply systems in highly vulnerable rural contexts.