Evaluation of Sanitation Strategies and Initiatives Implemented in Mexico from Community Capitals Point of View

Abstract

Sanitation is fundamental to human development and well-being. For developing countries, such as Mexico, one of the greatest long-term challenges is to treat all the wastewater generated. Several projects have been implemented to achieve this goal, but, due to the idiosyncrasies of local people, they have failed. This study aims to analyze both, previous and current sanitation strategies and initiatives that are implemented in Mexico. Through the analysis of data reported by the literature, using the Community Capitals Framework (CCF) and focusing on human factors, the data was analyzed to identify whether communities are being considered to guarantee the success of the technologies and resources implemented. Besides the lack of information, it was understood that, despite the governance efforts to provide sanitation, the task remains incomplete; some top priority drivers, such as population growth and water supply, seem to define the progress or decline in providing quality basic sanitation services. Using the CCF, it was observed that financial, political, and built (infrastructural) are being prioritized over the human, social, cultural, and natural capitals. Therefore, it is important to highlight the communities’ point of view on the development and decision making of projects and public policies, not just for sanitation but also for common well-being.

An Approach Incorporating User Preferences in the Design of Sanitation Systems and Its Application in the Rural Communities of Chiapas, Mexico

“…Thus, it is imperative to improve sanitation facilities and increase awareness regarding its importance in reducing health risks and poverty and supporting socioeconomic development [52]. With the urgency to achieve sustainable development through MDGs, implementers have prioritized the construction of sanitation systems over ensuring their use and user acceptance [3]. Moreover, faulty designs, inadequate technical knowledge, and unsuitable technologies [51,57,58] are important aspects to consider to understand why systems fail to be adequate.…”

“…In the area of study, the majority simply could not afford sanitation charges. Thus, the government is not able to settle fees to the service, first, because it has no financial and infrastructural capacity to give basic sanitation services and second, because of the lack of trust in monetary management [3]. As a result, improvements in sanitation are difficult to achieve in the area.…”

“…Furthermore, the government plays an important role in achieving full coverage of sanitation services. In the past, it was not a priority, and there were deliberate actions that permanently disrupted a sanitation system's use, maintenance, and performance, thereby creating mistrust and expectations from people for free services from the government, even when they are not poor [3,63]. Likewise, direct user and stakeholder participation, as well as empowerment by intermediate-level organizations, can provide an avenue to identify the needs of the community [57,64].…”

Toward a contextualized research agenda: Governance challenges of the wastewater treatment policy in Mexico and the role of subnational governments

“…A review of these results identified only 10 articles discussing specifically governance challenges relating to wastewater treatment policy (Bahri et al, 2009; Casiano Flores et al, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; Mizyed & Mays, 2020; Ramos Bustillos & Ortiz Rendón, 2019; Rivera et al, 2018; Robles‐Morua et al, 2009; Turrén‐Cruz et al, 2019). These articles focus on formal institutional aspects, lacking research on informal practices, implying that the social science perspective on wastewater treatment research is limited.…”

Sustainability of Batik wastewater quality management strategies: analytical hierarchy process

“…The perception was meaning be a sensation of expression to describe for the subject or an object (Pageaux 2016). The perception concept could be like social perfection that means to interventions solution with political interest concept (Turrén-Cruz et al 2019). From three sub-criteria, it already had some effect on increase or decrease the impact of SMEs from batik wastewater.…”