Agua y saneamiento, una política sin sustancia social ni comunitaria para los pueblos originarios: el caso de la microcuenca del río Venado, Hidalgo

Objective: Analyzing and explaining the socio-environmental effects derived from piped water services, from drainage networks, and from wastewater treatment plants at the indigenous territories of the Venado River’s micro-basin. Methodology: Analysis of the socio-historical context of water policies in the Huasteca and of the official statistical data on the coverage of so told services in the last three decades. Obtention of empirical information in field trips and semi-structured interviews carried out with some inhabitants of the micro-basin. Results: Water services have improved the quality of life of the inhabitants, but people have distanced themselves from the environment and neglect it. Value: The quantitative and qualitative information shows contradictory results about water policies in a specific area. Limitations: there is no technical information available to analyze and evaluate the sanitation systems implemented in the region. Conclusions: The water policies in the study region respond to rural development projects, but they lack of social and community inclusion. The consequences are the neglect of the habitat, community distancing from the management of water resources, and inefficient infrastructure.