Water situation in Las Vigas from a socioenvironmental perspective

Water is essential to life, yet scarcity and contamination remain persistent global challenges. This study analyzed the water situation in Las Vigas, a rural community in the Costa Chica region of Guerrero, Mexico, from a socioenvironmental perspective, focusing on three water sources: natural streams, artificial irrigation canals, and potable water from the community system. A mixed-methods approach was used, comprising participant observation, surveys, and interviews. The participant observation revealed that water issues are tied to economic marginalization, the presence of urban solid waste and agrochemical containers in water bodies, and insufficient institutional infrastructure. A structured questionnaire with 41 closed-ended questions was applied to 35 residents. In the socioeconomic dimension, 66% of respondents were women, 77% had stable jobs, and 60% lived in owned homes, although 43% had only a primary education, limiting access to technical knowledge. In the environmental dimension, 86% perceived stream contamination, 94% canal contamination, 97% recurrent droughts, and 83% a lack of water conservation culture. In the sociopolitical dimension, 89% perceived a lack of environmental education, and 86% attributed water shortages to institutional failures, especially in the pumping system (69%). Only 20% believed that wastewater treatment plants existed, although none currently do. Interviews with 42 key informants reinforced that water scarcity, contamination, and unequal access are interconnected challenges rooted in structural weaknesses. The findings highlight the urgent need for integrated strategies that promote water governance, environmental education, community participation, and infrastructure enhancement to ensure sustainable and equitable access to water in the Las Vigas community.