Legal pluralism and customary water resources management in Guatemala

Water Resources Research

2015

This paper investigates nonpayment behavior in Guatemala. Determinants of nonpayment behavior are identified through zero‐inflated negative binomial regression models in order to take into account particular distributional characteristics of the amount of outstanding payments. Findings indicate that nonpayment behavior is a demonstration of consumer dissatisfaction with current water services. The amount of outstanding bill payments also responds to system unreliability. Results also suggest that nonpayment behaviors are more prominent in community‐managed systems than in municipal systems. No evidence was found on a potential relationship between nonpayment behavior and household income. Policy implications are discussed.

Section: Drinking Water Services In Guatemalamentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonpayment of water bills in Guatemala: Dissatisfaction or inability to pay?

Water Resources Research

2015

“…These systems are operated under customary rules and agreed internal regulations with little or no government intervention (D'Andrea, 2012). Under these circumstances, it is policy relevant to understand how community-managed systems have proliferated in rural areas and to assess potential inconsistencies between community participation and community preferences.…”

Section: Water Services In Rural Guatemalamentioning

confidence: 99%

Rural water services in Guatemala: a survey of institutions and community preferences

2012

Water Policy

This paper investigates how drinking water is delivered in rural areas in Guatemala. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the government, municipaUties, non-governmental organizations and communities. Community preferences for improved water services are also investigated. Findings suggest that governmental and nongovernmental organizations require communities to take on the operation and management of water services as a condition to investing in inñ^astructure. Communities are also required to contribute to the implementation of water systems. These requirements are not necessarily responsive to community preferences which, coupled with low system revenues, may jeopardize the sustainability of water projects in the long run.

Willingness to pay and willingness to work for improvements of municipal and community‐managed water services

Water Resources Research

2014

This study investigates household preferences, in labor time and monetary terms, for improved water services in Guatemala using sequential contingent valuation questions. The household survey was implemented in areas served by municipal and community-managed systems, which allows for comparing household preferences under those governance approaches. Results show that respondents with municipal services are willing to pay a substantial increase (more than 200%) in their water bills for reliable supplies of safe drinking water. They are also willing to work approximately 19 h per month for such improved services when labor hours are proposed as the payment vehicle. In contrast, households with community-managed services are not willing to pay or work for service improvements, even though they report to be quite dissatisfied with current services. Policy implications are discussed.