There are regions where water availability is low due to altitude or lack of rainfall and there is a dense population, on the contrary happens in regions where natural resources are abundant. Guatemala City is the main example, home to more than 20 percent of the population. However, the valley where Guatemala City is located crosses the Continental Divide where river discharge is minimal.
Guatemala City’s scarce surface water resources cannot supply the needs of its citizens. As a result, groundwater resources are necessary to supply the city’s needs. According to the constitution, the country’s water belongs to the people. However, there is no policy that adequately regulates the proper use of water resources and water supply. Water scarcity is a very serious problem, although the country has an average annual rainfall of 2,000 millimeters, the unequal distribution of population and rainfall, coupled with inefficient management of available water resources, are the main causes of water supply problems. This is where it can be observed that the water cycle is interrupted, creating consequences for all Guatemalans.
Each municipality is responsible for the supply of water, that the quality is maintained in excellent conditions and that it is of good quality for human consumption. If the water does not meet quality standards, it is the social responsibility of each municipality to correct the problem. The Environmental Sanitation Division of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance contacts the mayors of the municipalities to correct the problem, as from time to time this situation is not addressed due to lack of compliance. It is important to emphasize that on planet earth all municipalities are required to use chlorine, however only 10 percent of Guatemalan municipalities use it.
A very common problem persists, and that is that there are no clear strategies, policies or investment programs. The lack of a national commission for the supply of drinking water is the main cause of the absence of minimum health conditions in the country.
There are 11 million people without drinking water because of the scarcity of it, since the wells are contaminated and for this reason, Guatemalans are forced to call for water pipes in Guatemala or hire a cistern service, which complicates their payment budget, in Guatemala there are companies that guarantee drinking water, but only a percentage of the water is chlorinated and sanitized. Unfortunately in Guatemala the hydrographic accounts are in poor condition which causes them to leak or evaporate, the growth of Guatemala City has caused the watersheds to disappear over time and the waste wells to become contaminated.
We must raise awareness about the hydrological cycle since it is a renewable resource, as people we have the basic need to have liquid water in perfect condition every day.
