Improving urban water supply in Mexico: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the measures taken by both the federal government of Mexico and its municipalities in relation to the country’s urban water supply and its management to improve it. Design/methodology/approach The PRISMA guidelines were chosen as the framework for this systematic review of the available literature on urban water supply in Mexico, considering the most important and relevant legal and institutional considerations. They were paired with critical qualitative review. Overall, 21 main documents, between 2000 and 2016, were acceptable for inclusion. Findings The review closes by proposing that the approach, at present, is excessively rigid, and that greater flexibility would permit municipalities to identify more suitable means of managing their own water supplies with minimal support from the federal government. Originality/value Several research articles have been written about the general nature of Mexico’s urban water supply and management at present. However, no attempt has been made to synthesise the evidence and arguments made in this significant body of research. Thus, the key purpose of this review is to do that with the intention of proposing a shift in the country’s approach to urban water management.