Water, society and environment in the history of one Mexican city

Abstract

This paper reviews the problems in the city of Morelia over a period of four centuries in providing and financing provision for water, sanitation and wastewater management. It documents when and how innovations were introduced to improve and extend supplies, to draw water from new sources and manage wastewater. It also explains who took responsibility for this, how it was funded and who benefited. Although provision improved greatly throughout this period, the financial difficulties in addressing these problems and also the differential access to water related to deficient infrastructure and to social and political inequalities still remain today. Problems of water scarcity and water pollution have also become more serious. This review shows how historical studies can contribute to a better understanding of the influence of different social actors on changes in water use and management. It also helps identify those processes and social relationships that lead to conflict and environmental deterioration. The paper notes that such problems must be addressed not only by the State directly but also through a greater degree of participation and involvement by the wider society in decision-making and problem-solving related to water.