WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF NORTHERN PUEBLA

Resumen

Objective: To identify the organizational forms that communities use to manage water, establishing the dialogical factors that communities build to strengthen their water-based ties. Methodology: The study was conducted in eight communities of the Sierra Norte of Puebla. An action research approach was used to study community water management in eight auxiliary boards of the municipality of Ixtacamaxtitlán, state of Puebla. Results: Seven water sources were identified, including one intercommunity source. The 8 auxiliary boards are built around these sources and they are organized to manage the home and irrigation water supply as a community. Differences in organization were identified depending on the land ownership type of the water source location, water fees, number of users, and years of management of the source. Study Limitations/Implications: The mining conflicts in the study region limited field work. Conclusions: Users have more access to water sources in ejidos than in small private properties. In the first case, water is considered a collective resource, while in the second case, water is a private resource.