In Guatemala, water services are frequently interrupted, water pressure is inadequate and tap water is often unsafe to drink. Water providers face the challenge of maintaining water systems and improving water services to provide reliable and safe drinking water. Understanding the perspectives of government officers may help in finding solutions to overcome this challenge. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore officers' opinions and views on municipal water services. Interviews were complemented with content analysis of technical and official documents. Factors identified as determinants of the low quality of water services include low political will, lack of institutional development, low investment in water infrastructure, low household compliance with water systems, and low community participation in the water sector. Findings and policy implications are discussed.
Skip Nav Destination
Close
Close
Article navigation
Research Article|
November 06 2010
Municipal water services in Guatemala: exploring official perceptions
William F. Vásquez
1Department of Economics, Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, USA
E-mail: wvasquez@mail.fairfield.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Water Policy (2011) 13 (3): 362–374.
Article history
Received:
January 17 2009
Accepted:
February 28 2010
Citation
William F. Vásquez; Municipal water services in Guatemala: exploring official perceptions. Water Policy 1 June 2011; 13 (3): 362–374. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2010.211
Download citation file:
Close
Citation
William F. Vásquez; Municipal water services in Guatemala: exploring official perceptions. Water Policy 1 June 2011; 13 (3): 362–374. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2010.211
Download citation file:
Close
Impact Factor 1.093
CiteScore 1.9