Vol. 5 No. 4 (2023): Challenges surrounding Integrated Water Resources Management in Guatemala

Water is essential in all aspects of life, serving as a crucial resource for any nation's survival and growth. Environmental experts in Guatemala acknowledge the country's ample water supply, yet they highlight a significant deficiency in its management capabilities. A key Sustainable Development Goal focuses on providing universal access to water and sanitation, urging the implementation of integrated water resources management at every level, possibly extending to cross-border collaborations, by 2030. This study provides an insight into Guatemala's legal and institutional framework, revealing its fragmented legal system and the inadequacy or duplication in institutional roles necessary for effective and sustainable water resource management. It underlines the need for robust information systems to track water sources and usage, the importance of public investment in water accessibility, and a geographic approach to managing river basins within Guatemala. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for conflict analysis to foster discussions leading to a unified legal framework and highlights the critical role of local governments in providing clean drinking water and sanitation services in their areas.