Bridging Governance Gaps: A Political Ecology Analysis of Water Challenges in Guanajuato, Mexico

In this study, the systemic challenges of water governance in Guanajuato, Mexico, are examined through a political ecology framework, identifying how governance failures, power asymmetries, and socio-environmental inequalities contribute to water scarcity and mismanagement. Guanajuato, a key agricultural and industrial hub in Mexico’s semi-arid Bajío region, faces severe aquifer depletion, pollution, and institutional fragmentation, disproportionately affecting rural and marginalized communities. Using a qualitative research design, 25 semi-structured expert interviews and a case study analysis were conducted, applying thematic coding and content analysis to examine governance structures, regulatory gaps, and socio-environmental conflicts. The findings revealed that institutional fragmentation, preferential water allocation to industry, and weak enforcement mechanisms perpetuate governance failures, with community resistance and alternative governance strategies emerging as key responses. The results of this study emphasize the need for adaptive governance reforms, including measures such as integrating local knowledge, strengthening participatory decision-making, and fostering cross-sector collaboration to ensure equitable resource distribution and environmental sustainability. Guanajuato’s case offers critical insights for improving water governance in arid regions globally, demonstrating the relevance of political ecology in analyzing and addressing governance asymmetries in water management.