Governance and integrated management of water resources: a challenge for indigenous communities

Abstract

In Ecuador, community water management systems are fully recognized and comply with the legal framework, hence the importance of strengthening local water management organizations by improving their organizational and operational capacities. The 6727 community systems provide water to 24% of the population, demonstrating that especially in rural and peripheral areas the problem is not the water absence, but a crisis of governance. A study was carried out in the micro-watershed of Paquizhapa river, southern Ecuador, with the purpose of proposing strategies for integrated water management under an effective governance approach. We applied bibliographic research techniques to compile and analyze successful water management experiences in Latin America. Legal aspects and policies related to social water management were analyzed. A socioeconomic and environmental characterization of the micro-watershed was required, as well as information related to problems of water supply and water coverage for consumption and irrigation. The results revealed that, although regulations exist in the micro-watershed, they are weak and lack criteria that generate responsibility among users. The presence of socio-environmental conflicts, scarce impacts of investments by ONGs and public agencies, lack of leadership, weak articulation between actors, generates a crisis in water management, making it necessary to promote strategies based on river basin management, local realities and successful experiences. Therefore, strategies such as: Governance, spatial planning, demand management, management of aquatic ecosystems and cooperation management were proposed.