Community Water Management: Two Cases in Rural Villages in Mexico

Abstract

This article analyzes two experiences of community water management in rural regions of Mexico: the ejido La Presa, located in the Altiplano of San Luis Potosí, and the municipality of La Ciénega de Zimatlán, situated in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. Both communities have developed their own water management systems based on collective organization, local regulations, and the defense of their territories against external pressures. The objective is to examine the community organizational forms of mestizo and indigenous farmers, as well as the challenges they face in sustaining their drinking water and irrigation systems. A qualitative methodology was used, integrating semi-structured interviews, participant observation, document review, and fieldwork. The results show that, despite their ecological and sociopolitical differences, the two communities share a vision of water as a common good, as well as historical practices for its collection, distribution, and conservation. However, they face economic problems and a lack of relevant public policies tailored to their local and regional conditions. It is concluded that strengthening community water management involves recognizing its legitimacy and promoting policies that guarantee the effective participation of local actors from a territorial and intercultural approach.