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Article

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

by
Mirella Saldaña Almazán
1,
Ana Patricia Leyva Zuñiga
1,
Enrique Moreno Mendoza
2,
Marco Polo Calderón Arellanes
2,* and
Sirilo Suastegui Cruz
2,*
1
Environmental Sciences, Autonomous University of Guerrero, Chilpancingo 39070, Mexico
2
Research and Graduate Center in Socio-Territorial Studies, Las Playas, Acapulco de Juárez 39390, Mexico
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4633; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104633
Submission received: 6 April 2025 / Revised: 11 May 2025 / Accepted: 13 May 2025 / Published: 19 May 2025
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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.

1. Introduction

Globally, the management and sustainability of water supply systems have become critical challenges in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and growing social inequality [1,2]. Processes such as deforestation, desertification, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss have significantly altered hydrological cycles by modifying rainfall and runoff patterns, thereby reducing the recharge capacity of aquifers and compromising water availability [3,4,5]. These issues are particularly severe in developing countries, where population growth and persistent poverty intensify pressure on natural ecosystems and exacerbate access barriers to water resources [6,7].
In this global context, various countries have implemented policies to reallocate water from rural to urban areas, prioritizing higher-value uses such as domestic and industrial consumption [8,9]. A relevant case is Jordan, where increasing urban demand has led to the reassignment of groundwater through both regulatory frameworks and direct interventions. Liptrot, & Hussein [10] demonstrate that while conventional regulatory instruments have had limited success in reducing agricultural water use, targeted interventions such as well expropriation and aqueduct construction have enabled the successful transfer of large volumes of water to priority urban sectors. This experience underscores the importance of addressing not only technical and ecological aspects of water management, but also the political and institutional dimensions that influence its distribution and long-term sustainability [10].
In this regard, the concept of water governance has gained increasing relevance as a framework to understand how institutions, rules, power relations, and community participation shape access to and control over water resources. Effective governance is essential to ensuring equitable distribution, sustainability, and conflict resolution especially in contexts where state presence is limited and local communities rely on informal or self-managed systems [11]. In rural areas, governance often operates through collective arrangements, customary norms, or community-based management. However, such systems face challenges related to institutional fragmentation, limited technical capacity, and insufficient support from public policy. Understanding local governance dynamics is therefore fundamental to designing context-appropriate interventions and strengthening community resilience [12,13].
At the national level, Mexico is facing a critical situation in terms of water availability, particularly in rural areas. Although potable water coverage reaches 95% in urban zones, it remains at only 65% in rural regions, reflecting sharp territorial disparities [14]. The country ranks among the top twelve users of water for agricultural purposes, and demand continues to grow due to population increase and the need to ensure food security [14,15]. This scenario is compounded by environmental degradation associated with deforestation, land-use change, urbanization, and intensive agriculture, which directly alter precipitation and runoff patterns [16]. In regions such as the Highlands of Chiapas, these changes have significantly affected vegetative cover, hydrological processes, and productive activities like rainfed agriculture and livestock farming [17,18,19].
The state of Guerrero is among the most affected by these dynamics. With high levels of marginalization and a strong dependence on subsistence agriculture, it faces an acute water crisis exacerbated by traditional practices such as logging and slash and burn agriculture, which have severely degraded aquifers and weakened environmental resilience [20,21]. In this region, land use changes have resulted in shorter and more erratic rainfall patterns, further intensifying water scarcity [22].
The rural community of Las Ánimas, located in the municipality of Tecoanapa, represents a paradigmatic case of water vulnerability. Approximately 70% of the population is engaged in agricultural activities [20,23,24,25], which has contributed to widespread deforestation and increasing climate variability, expressed in prolonged droughts and reduced precipitation. In 2017, it was reported that 70% of the ejido area had been deforested [23], a condition that negatively impacts rainfall patterns, ecosystem services, and local food production. Most of the available water is used for agricultural purposes, followed by domestic consumption [23]. The situation is further aggravated by water contamination caused by the infiltration of untreated wastewater and agricultural chemicals, posing risks to public health and revealing the absence of adequate sanitation infrastructure [25,26]. Water capture a key process for ensuring access to water for human consumption, agriculture, and industry depends on the type of source (surface or groundwater), the resource’s availability, and the specific needs of each population or sector [27,28]. In Las Ánimas, the precarious nature of this process has exacerbated water scarcity and contributed to inequities in access [3].
The objective of this study is to analyze the water supply systems in the rural community of Las Ánimas, focusing on water use practices in households and agriculture, identifying the perceived benefits of water access, and evaluating the strengths and limitations of the existing community management model, with special attention to governance dynamics.
This research is relevant as it provides empirical evidence of local water governance in a historically marginalized community with limited access to basic services. It also contributes technical and social inputs for the design of participatory interventions aimed at improving both water availability and quality, while promoting more inclusive and territorially sensitive public policies.

2. Materials and Methods

This study was conducted in the rural community of Las Ánimas, located in the municipality of Tecoanapa, Guerrero, Mexico. The community’s territory is organized under the ejido systema form of communal land tenure established by Mexican agrarian law, in which land is collectively owned by the community but may be used individually. The village is situated at an altitude of 660 m above sea level and features rugged terrain composed of hillsides and slopes [29]. With an approximate population of 1552 inhabitants, the gravity-fed water supply system serves around 70% of households (240 dwellings), while the remaining 30% lack access due to unfavorable topographic conditions [30].
Given the objective of understanding the functioning of the water supply system in this rural context including domestic and agricultural water use practices, perceived system benefits, and challenges associated with community-based water management a participatory qualitative methodology was adopted, complemented by quantitative tools. This mixed-methods approach allowed the study to address two core research questions: (1) How is water accessed, used, and managed in households and agricultural activities in Las Ánimas? and (2) What structural and organizational factors hinder the equitable distribution of water resources within the community? The combination of methods aimed to capture, on the one hand, the social, institutional, and environmental dynamics surrounding water access and use, and on the other hand, to enable basic comparisons with nationally established technical standards.
For the quantitative component, 30 households were selected through simple random sampling from a total of 360 dwellings connected to the water supply system, representing 8.3% of the target population. Although this proportion does not allow for statistical inference, the sample size was justified by the exploratory nature of the study and the geographic constraints that limited data collection. In rural settings with similar characteristics, small samples have proven effective in identifying relevant behavioral patterns and structural inequalities [31]. Moreover, the selected sample size was sufficient to support methodological triangulation with qualitative data sources.
For the qualitative component, purposive sampling was used to select ten key informants with direct experience in water management and use. These included heads of household, agricultural producers, members of the Water Committee, and local authorities such as the Municipal Commissioner and the Communal Land Commissioner. Data collection was carried out through structured surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. All instruments were previously validated through pilot testing and expert review in the field of socio-environmental studies. In addition, direct observation was conducted in water storage areas, agricultural plots, and community decision-making spaces.
As part of the organizational analysis, this study incorporated the Sustainability Assessment Tool developed by Schweitzer and Mihelcic [32], focusing specifically on the indicator of community participation. Although the tool was originally designed for cross-community comparison, it was adapted here to provide an internal diagnostic of sustainability within Las Ánimas. The level of participation was quantified based on the average percentage of attendance at community meetings, using a scoring scale from 0 to 4.
The numerical score was triangulated with qualitative data from interviews and field observations to assess the legitimacy, commitment, and representativeness of local decision-making processes.
Quantitative data were processed using descriptive statistics in the Software SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) 20 software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA), including frequencies, means, and percentages. The volume of water available for agricultural use (868,500,660 L/ha) and domestic use (57,700,863 L/ha) was calculated and compared to the national minimum consumption standard (50 L per person per day, as established by NOM-127-SSA1-2021) to determine whether the local water supply meets basic human needs. Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic coding and emergent categorization. The information was organized into comparative matrices to identify common patterns, contradictions, and discursive tensions. These discrepancies were not discarded but discussed during community feedback sessions, strengthening interpretive validity through participatory validation.
To ensure methodological integration, a cross-analysis matrix was developed to organize the results by thematic axis (e.g., access to water, community participation, sustainability, water quality, and governance). This matrix allowed for direct comparison of quantitative indicators with qualitative categories, highlighting convergences, contradictions, and interpretive gaps. This approach enabled the triangulation of data sources and provided a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics surrounding water management in Las Ánimas.
As part of the collaborative approach, a problem and objective tree was developed using the Logical Framework methodology proposed by Camacho et al. [33], following the seven methodological steps outlined by Geilfus [34]. This tool facilitated the identification of structural causes, social consequences, and community-driven solution proposals, encouraging greater local ownership of the research process (Figure 1).
This study acknowledges several limitations: the small size of the quantitative sample, which limits statistical representativeness; the absence of historical records regarding water capture and consumption volumes; the lack of inferential analysis; and the diversity of perspectives collected, which while enriching the qualitative dimension may introduce interpretive bias. Nevertheless, the use of triangulated methodologies, validation by local actors, and integration of multiple data sources support the internal validity of the study and yield meaningful insights into the conditions and challenges of rural water supply systems.

3. Results

3.1. Water Supply and Network System

Regarding infrastructure, the water intake system is located at 721 m above sea level and uses a traditional sandbag technique that redirects water to storage tanks, which supply the distribution network. This aging network has 1754 m of stainless steel piping, originally intended for 100 homes but currently used by 360, which has caused an overload in the system. To compensate for this deficiency, additional hoses have been added, increasing costs and complicating maintenance. The Los Pedregales neighborhood, with 30 homes, remains excluded from this network. The age of the system, approximately 45 years, has reduced its functionality, particularly during the dry season, requiring the implementation of rationing strategies using shut-off valves.
As a result of this problem, a new water supply system was established in the town in 2020. This system was taken directly from two springs in the upper part of the town’s municipal area. This network was connected to the old network so that both would work to increase the amount of water for the town (Figure 2).
The expansion with the new network benefited from a larger storage tank in the area, with a capacity of 10,000 L, allowing for the network’s expansion of 1000 m between neighborhoods. The households that benefited were those located in the most remote and high-altitude areas. For the network’s operation, valves were installed to direct the water flow (Figure 3).

3.2. Water Consumption: Agricultural and Domestic Activities

Water availability in the Las Ánimas area for agricultural activities was estimated at 868,500,660 L/ha. In this region, ten producers use irrigation systems on an area of 8.1 hectares, while approximately 260 farmers operate rainfed crops on 560 hectares. The main crops include corn (Zea mays), beans (Phaseolus spp.), squash (Cucurbita spp.), and hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), reflecting a focus on food security and subsistence particularly the Agua Fría River without prior treatment, contributing to the degradation of water.
During fieldwork, twelve springs were recorded across the upper and lower areas of the ejido. Seven springs are located in the upper area (El Encinal, La Palma, Los Tabares, Los Tepetates, Los Martínez, Los Aguacates, and Los García), while five more were identified in the lower area (Suastegui, Chillano, El Coral, El Mango, and El Arenal). Additionally, springs dedicated to human consumption such as El Tubo and El Plan and one for domestic use, Los Cuartololotes, were identified. The latter is not suitable for direct consumption. It should be noted that most of these springs are located on private property, with the exception of Los Cuartololotes.
Regarding domestic consumption, an estimated availability of 57,700,863 L/ha is intended for a population of 1527 inhabitants [16]. Water quality was evaluated in three springs in the upper area (Los García, Los Martínez, and Los Aguacates) using both biological indicators and physicochemical parameters. Specifically, the biological analysis included the detection of Escherichia coli and total coliforms as indicators of fecal contamination, in accordance with the methods established by the Mexican standard NOM-127-SSA1-2021. Physicochemical parameters measured included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), and nitrates (NO3−), which are essential for assessing the ecological integrity of water bodies in rural contexts.
Ecological deterioration was detected in the Los Martínez spring, which presented elevated turbidity and low DO values, suggesting organic contamination and a limited self-purification capacity. In Los Aguacates, anthropogenic pressures related to deforestation and livestock farming were evident, reflected in increased nitrate concentrations and slight acidification. In contrast, the Los García spring, located at a higher altitude and with less human intervention, exhibited near neutral pH, adequate dissolved oxygen levels, and low turbidity and conductivity, indicating relatively better conservation conditions.
In the lower zone, monitoring of the El Tubo, El Plan, and Los Cuartololotes springs revealed contamination in the latter, primarily due to the presence of agrochemicals and untreated wastewater. This has led to an increased reliance on purified water due to health risks. Poor water management was also identified, characterized by low community participation and institutional weaknesses, despite the formal existence of a Water Committee and local authorities.
The comprehensive assessment reveals a situation of water stress in Las Ánimas, driven by a low aquifer recharge capacity (27%) and high demand for the resource, primarily for productive activities (68%) compared to domestic use (4.5%). This imbalance, together with the lack of sanitation infrastructure, highlights the urgent need to implement conservation strategies for springs and sub basins, optimize existing infrastructure, and strengthen local governance mechanisms for sustainable water resource management.

3.3. Community Participation and Benefits of the New Water Network

Table 1 presents a summary of the responses obtained from the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) conducted with citizens. The scores assigned to each response range from 0 to 4. For each topic discussed in the PRA, the score assigned to each respondent is found in the last column (score column). For the topic related to community participation in the planning and implementation of water supply projects, the scores range from 0, 1, 2, and 3. This indicates that, overall, community participation is minimal (score = 1) for most citizens, with a score of 4 being considered “good”. The results of the PRA analysis show that the rate of community participation in planning and implementation is low. Furthermore, the monitoring mechanism for operation and management, as well as community participation in the selection of technology, are also deficient (Table 1).
In the case of the water rate paid by the beneficiaries, it is minimal, since the authority is in charge of the resource (score value = 2), for operation and maintenance it is not sufficient (score value = 0).

4. Discussion

Community based water management in rural settings represents a complex challenge, particularly in contexts marked by institutional scarcity, environmental pressure, and lack of basic infrastructure. This study analyzes the case of the Las Ánimas community in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, where significant challenges persist regarding equitable and sustainable access to water resources. To strengthen the analysis of the results, Elinor Ostrom’s theoretical framework on socio ecological systems and design principles for the sustainable management of common pool resources was adopted. This approach allows for a systematic evaluation of local governance forms, recognizing the ability of communities to generate autonomous, adaptive, and resilient institutional arrangements.
To reinforce the analysis using Ostrom’s [13] framework, the findings of this study are linked to her eight design principles. First, a clearly defined boundary of the resource system and its users was identified (Principle 1), as the community collectively recognizes the water sources, their limits, and the members entitled to access. Second, local rules reflect congruence with local conditions (Principle 2), such as the use of rotational turns or valves to distribute water. Third, although decisions are primarily made by the water committee, there is some degree of collective rule modification (Principle 3), although this participation remains limited, as revealed by the focus groups. In terms of monitoring (Principle 4), informal community-based oversight mechanisms were identified, although these are not institutionalized or standardized. Graduated sanctions (Principle 5) are applied informally when users violate distribution rules, reflecting tacit social control. Conflict-resolution mechanisms (Principle 6) are handled at the community level, although formal mediation is lacking. The right to organize (Principle 7) is expressed through the existence of the water committee, although its legitimacy needs to be strengthened. Lastly, the absence of a polycentric governance structure (Principle 8) is evident, as connections with higher-level institutions are weak or non-existent.
This systematic linkage demonstrates that, although some principles are still in early stages of development, the community of Las Ánimas has managed to establish an autonomous governance system based on collective practices that can be strengthened through technical training, institutional capacity building, and formal recognition through public policy.
Access to wáter both in adequate quantity and quality is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development in rural communities. In the case of Las Ánimas, the findings reveal how environmental, social, and institutional factors converge to limit equitable and secure access to water resources. Previous studies have shown that inadequate infrastructure for water supply and sanitation leads to significant negative impacts on public health, agricultural productivity, and overall community well-being [35,36], which is also evident in this rural region of Guerrero, Mexico.
One of the most pressing issues identified is water scarcity during the dry season, exacerbated by the lack of adequate rainwater harvesting and storage systems, as well as the contamination of available sources. This situation is closely linked to intensive agricultural practices and the absence of formal wastewater treatment systems [30]. Similar patterns have been reported in other rural areas where unregulated land use has intensified pressure on surface water bodies [37,38].
The poor water quality observed in sources such as Los Cuartololotes, Los Martínez, and Los Aguacates poses serious public health risks and compromises water security in the community. These findings underscore the urgent need to implement local and accessible monitoring systems to regularly assess key parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO), enabling informed participation and evidence-based decision-making at the community level [30,39].
Furthermore, deforestation, land use change, and the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals have diminished aquifer recharge capacity and increased soil erosion, worsening the region’s water crisis [40,41]. As Gallay et al. [42] note, the alteration of the hydrological cycle not only threatens water availability but also the resilience of the ecosystems that support it. In this context, the adoption of agroecological practices, the restoration of degraded areas, and the strengthening of local conservation initiatives become critical.
From the governance perspective, this study identified structural weaknesses in the operation of the Community Water Committee, particularly due to low user participation and the absence of a clear regulatory framework [25]. However, when analyzed through Ostrom’s socio ecological systems lens, the case of Las Ánimas reveals key elements of autonomous governance, including context-sensitive local rules, informal monitoring mechanisms, and a shared recognition of water as a common-pool resource. These principles operate even in the absence of formal institutions and serve as a foundation for community-based water management with strong sustainability potential.
This governance structure contrasts significantly with the experience documented by Timothy Liptrot in rural Jordan, where national water policies have prioritized large-scale redistribution of water resources from rural areas to urban and industrial centers [10]. These centralized interventions included the expropriation of wells, restrictions on groundwater extraction for agriculture, and the construction of inter-basin transfer infrastructure. While these measures supported urban growth, they also weakened rural livelihoods and intensified socio environmental vulnerabilities [43]. Over time, such policies have contributed to the progressive erosion of local autonomy and food security, as smallholder farmers face increasing barriers to accessing water for subsistence agriculture [44].
In contrast, the community based governance model observed in Las Ánimas emerges in a context of limited formal state support, where local actors have developed adaptive arrangements for the allocation, monitoring, and maintenance of the water system. While this model demonstrates potential for equity and resilience particularly under conditions of institutional neglect it remains exposed to long-term risks associated with limited technical capacity, aging infrastructure, and climate variability. Unlike the top-down policy framework implemented in Jordan, the decentralized management in Las Ánimas highlights the potential of bottom-up governance to foster local ownership and sustainability. However, its long-term viability depends on the strengthening of institutional support mechanisms, the formal recognition of local water committees, and the integration of these models into broader water governance policies.
The political dimension of water management is also evident in the conflicts observed in the Tecoanapa River micro-basin and the involvement of international organizations such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights [45,46]. These conflicts highlight the need for territorially grounded public policies that uphold human rights and promote intergenerational equity [47,48], rather than reproducing exclusionary models that marginalize rural areas.
At the same time, the findings of this study underscore the value of participatory approaches in developing context-specific solutions. The use of the Logical Framework and the collaborative development of problem and objective trees enabled a comprehensive diagnosis and fostered local empowerment. These participatory strategies encouraged a collective sense of responsibility and laid the groundwork for long-term sustainable water governance [33,35].
Beyond governance mechanisms, water is essential for the economic, social, and cultural development of rural populations, as highlighted in various studies [34,49]. Its availability and quality are crucial for ensuring health, food production, and general well-being [19,30]. However, in rural areas such as Las Ánimas, these conditions are increasingly threatened by growing demand, inadequate infrastructure, and inefficient management practices [35,45].
The local situation reflects a broader global challenge. Water shortages during dry months [15], combined with contamination of local springs—primarily due to intensive agriculture and the lack of basic sanitation create highly vulnerable conditions [26]. In Mexico and other countries of the Global South, water quality deterioration remains a widespread problem, closely linked to weak monitoring and resource management systems [26,50,51].
The prevailing agricultural model in the region has also significantly affected water resources. Excessive use of agrochemicals and deforestation have contributed to water quality degradation and reduced availability [36,52]. As recent research has shown [39,53], intensive farming alters hydrological cycles, diminishes aquifer recharge, and disrupts ecological balance. In particular, deforestation decreases infiltration and increases erosion, intensifying the effects of drought [42].
This study confirms a direct relationship between intensive agricultural practices and the degradation of water resources. The overuse of fertilizers and pesticides was identified as a primary source of pollution in water bodies. Prior studies have linked this to nitrate and phosphate leaching, which leads to eutrophication and declining water quality [54].
Agricultural irrigation also represents a significant portion of total water use in the region. Traditional methods such as sprinkler and flood irrigation generate substantial losses due to evaporation and runoff. These findings are consistent with Rodríguez-Romero et al. [16], who advocate for more efficient technologies such as drip irrigation to reduce water waste and improve sustainability in agricultural water use.
In addition to overuse and pollution, the local hydrological cycle has been altered. In areas dominated by monocultures, water infiltration has decreased likely due to soil compaction and the loss of natural vegetation [55]. These observations align with research in similar ecosystems, where intensive agricultural practices have been shown to reduce aquifer recharge [56].
Given this complex scenario, improving water infrastructure and governance practices is critical. Water quality is a multidimensional concept encompassing contamination, access, and availability [57], and its assessment presents considerable technical and social challenges [16]. The methodology applied in this study including indicators such as dissolved oxygen (DO) and the Water Quality Index offers local communities user-friendly tools to participate in water-related decisión making [26]. This participatory approach promotes transparency, accountability, and more democratic water governance [38,58].
Lastly, stricter regulation of agrochemical use and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices are essential. Strategies such as reforestation, organic soil enrichment, and rainwater harvesting [16] provide promising pathways to restore ecosystems, improve water quality, and ensure more efficient use of the resource. The case of Las Ánimas suggests that, in contrast to centralized state models such as those implemented in Jordan, community-based governance systems incorporating Ostrom’s [13] the principles of autonomous management offer a viable, equitable, and resilient alternative for addressing rural water scarcity.
In addition to the technical component, the imbalance identified between agricultural (68%) and domestic (4.5%) water use in Las Ánimas poses serious implications in terms of water equity and food security. The concentration of the resource in agricultural activities many of which are low-yielding and lack sustainable practices can exacerbate inequalities in access to potable water and limit the availability of the resource for essential uses such as human consumption and hygiene [59]. From an environmental justice perspective, this unequal distribution reflects not only infrastructure deficiencies but also a usage model that prioritizes productive over vital needs, creating social tensions and exposing the most vulnerable households to conditions of water insecurity [60]. Moreover, reliance on highly inefficient traditional irrigation methods, compounded by increasing climate variability, undermines the sustainability of agricultural production and, consequently, local food security [53,61]. Reversing this situation requires a transition toward integrated and participatory management schemes that uphold the human right to water, promote equitable distribution, and support agroecological models that balance productivity and sustainability [62,63].

5. Conclusions

The results of this study reveal that water scarcity in the rural community of Las Ánimas, Guerrero, cannot be understood solely from a technical or environmental perspective; rather, it is the outcome of a complex interplay of physical, social, institutional, and political factors. The combination of deficient infrastructure, environmental degradation, and limited local management capacity has generated a critical situation of water insecurity, which becomes more acute during the dry season.
The quality of available water poses an urgent public health concern, primarily associated with the intensive use of agrochemicals, deforestation, and the absence of wastewater treatment systems. Furthermore, the inefficient agricultural use of water underscores the need to adopt sustainable irrigation practices and to strengthen community-based monitoring of water sources.
Despite the organizational limitations identified within the local Water Committee, the experience of Las Ánimas demonstrates that rural communities can develop local governance systems aligned with the principles of the socioecological systems framework. The presence of community norms, informal monitoring, and a shared understanding of water as a common pool resource illustrates significant potential for sustainable water management at the local level.
This model contrasts with experiences documented in other countries, where the centralized redistribution of water has favored urban and industrial sectors to the detriment of rural communities. In this regard, the case of Las Ánimas highlights the importance of strengthening decentralized governance frameworks based on local autonomy and the active participation of water users.
The conclusions of this work point to the urgent need for territorially focused public policies that integrate ecological, social, and cultural components of water management. Additionally, the implementation of environmental restoration strategies, technical training, and participatory planning are reaffirmed as essential pillars for building sustainable solutions to water crises in rural areas.
Finally, this study contributes to making visible that the most effective solutions do not necessarily arise from external interventions, but rather from the recognition, strengthening, and support of existing community practices. The main challenge lies in articulating local knowledge with scientific approaches and institutional frameworks that ensure the sustainability of water as a human right and as a central axis of rural development.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, A.P.L.Z. and E.M.M.; methodology, S.S.C. and M.P.C.A.; software, A.P.L.Z.; validation, M.S.A. and S.S.C.; formal analysis, S.S.C., M.S.A. and M.P.C.A.; investigation, S.S.C., M.S.A. and M.P.C.A.; resources, E.M.M., M.S.A. and M.P.C.A.; data curation, S.S.C. and M.S.A.; writing—original draft preparation, S.S.C., M.S.A. and M.P.C.A.; writing—review and editing, S.S.C. and A.P.L.Z.; Visualization, M.P.C.A.; supervision, M.S.A. and S.S.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Institutional Review Board (or Ethics Committee) of Research UAGro (protocol code 024 and date of approval 2024-09-01).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Sustainability 17 04633 g001
Figure 1. Problem tree of the municipality of Las Ánimas de Tecoanapa, Guerrero, Mexico, taken from [25].
Figure 1. Problem tree of the municipality of Las Ánimas de Tecoanapa, Guerrero, Mexico, taken from [25].
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Figure 2. New distribution network in Las Animas, Tecoanapa Municipality, Guerrero, Mexico.
Figure 2. New distribution network in Las Animas, Tecoanapa Municipality, Guerrero, Mexico.
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Figure 3. Expansion of the new water network in the neighborhoods of Las Animas, Tecoanapa municipality, Guerrero, Mexico.
Figure 3. Expansion of the new water network in the neighborhoods of Las Animas, Tecoanapa municipality, Guerrero, Mexico.
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Table 1. Results of the focus group discussion sessions held in the four study communities.
Table 1. Results of the focus group discussion sessions held in the four study communities.
IndicatorSummary of the Collective Responses of Participants in Focus Group Discussions on Topics Under Discussion in the Participation of a New Drinking Water Network in Las Animas, Municipality of Tecoanapa, Guerrero.
01234Score
Community participation in the management, planning and implementation of a new water network projectNo participationMinimum participationFair shareParticipation was goodParticipation very good0,1,2
Community participation in the selection of technology used for the new water networkNo participationMinimum participationFair shareThe participation was goodParticipation very good0,0,0
Training of the water committee by technicians for the operation and monitoring of the new water networkNullIf onceIf twiceIf three timesMore than three times0,1,2
The water committee must have the approval of internal regulations for the distribution of resources in the colonies and for sanctions.Without approvalLow approvalFair approvalApproval was goodApproval very good2,3,4
Get drinking water from your current source with less effort than the old water sourceYou are welcomeVery limited advantageFair advantageAdvantage was goodAdvantage very well3,3,4
Payment for the right to water. The community is regularly informed about how the money is saved and spent.No fare collectionMinimum fee paymentFair payment of ratesPayment of fee was fineThe water rate is charged by the municipal authority2,3,4
Benefits of the improved water sourceNo visible improvementVery limited improvementImproved health and increased productivityContribution to family incomeImprovement in
home health,
income, productivity work, livestock and
long-distance travel
go get water		3,2,3
What are the main water problems? Diagram of the new water networkThe gravity distribution systemThe time of water distribution in the coloniesThe distribution system is limiting for high placesPipe breakage, seasonal fluctuation, and decreased flow during the dry seasonThe method of distributing water from the supply source to the homes is limited by the small amount of water in the homes.1,2,3
Suggested solution to improve and maintain the operation of existing systems in the new and old water networkThere is no solution at the momentChange the distribution system (gravity) to pumps (mechanized)Changing the distribution system in homes with pumps (mechanized)Secure the distribution pipe from the intake to the local pondChange the water network distribution system4,3,2
Mechanism for monitoring and following up on the operation and management of the new water networkWithout monitoringMinimal monitoringSome level of monitoring by water committeeThere is good follow-up for the monitoring and operation of the water networkThere is very good monitoring and tracking mechanism for the new water network.0,0,1
Modified from source: Schweitzer and Mihelcic, [32].
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MDPI and ACS Style

Saldaña Almazán, M.; Leyva Zuñiga, A.P.; Moreno Mendoza, E.; Calderón Arellanes, M.P.; Suastegui Cruz, S. Community Management and Sustainability of Water Supply in a Rural Area of Guerrero, Mexico. Sustainability 2025, 17, 4633. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104633

AMA Style

Saldaña Almazán M, Leyva Zuñiga AP, Moreno Mendoza E, Calderón Arellanes MP, Suastegui Cruz S. Community Management and Sustainability of Water Supply in a Rural Area of Guerrero, Mexico. Sustainability. 2025; 17(10):4633. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104633

Chicago/Turabian Style

Saldaña Almazán, Mirella, Ana Patricia Leyva Zuñiga, Enrique Moreno Mendoza, Marco Polo Calderón Arellanes, and Sirilo Suastegui Cruz. 2025. "Community Management and Sustainability of Water Supply in a Rural Area of Guerrero, Mexico" Sustainability 17, no. 10: 4633. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104633

APA Style

Saldaña Almazán, M., Leyva Zuñiga, A. P., Moreno Mendoza, E., Calderón Arellanes, M. P., & Suastegui Cruz, S. (2025). Community Management and Sustainability of Water Supply in a Rural Area of Guerrero, Mexico. Sustainability, 17(10), 4633. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104633

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