2026-06-09T19:24:25+02:00 https://library.wur.nl/oai

oai:library.wur.nl:wurpubs/379939 2026-03-31

urn:nbn:nl:ui:32-379939 2026-03-31 urn:nbn:nl:ui:32-379939/mods Local IWRM organizations for groundwater regulation: The experiences of the Aquifer Management Councils (COTAS) in Guanajuato, Mexico Wester P. 157023176 0000-0002-0126-7853 000000011667805X aut Hoogesteger van Dijk J.D. 304130435 0000-0002-6784-0552 0000000393677143 aut Vincent L.F. 140527648 0000000384862769 aut text info:eu-repo/semantics/article 2009 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2009.01206.x 2-s2.0-64749117048 000265014700005 en Evidence of groundwater management by aquifer users emerging under Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) initiatives is presented, by analyzing the Consejos Técnicos de Aguas (COTAS; Technical Water Councils or Aquifer Management Councils) in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, established between 1998 and 2000 by the Guanajuato State Water Commission (CEAG). Two contrasting models influenced this attempt to promote user self-regulation of groundwater extractions: locally autonomous aquifer organizations with powers to regulate groundwater extractions versus aquifer organizations with advisory powers only. The COTAS were conceived as locally autonomous IWRM organizations consisting of all aquifer users that would work together to reduce groundwater over-extraction and stabilize aquifer levels, at a later stage. CEAG followed an expedient IWRM approach to develop the COTAS, setting achievable targets for their development and explicitly focusing on active stakeholder participation. The article shows that, due to struggles between the state and federal levels, the COTAS have become advisory bodies that have not led to reductions in groundwater extractions. It concludes that achieving user self-regulation of groundwater extractions requires a fuller delegation of responsibilities to the COTAS which would not be possible without addressing the institutional struggles over water governance at the state and federal levels. CERES Irrigation and Water Engineering basin southern africa water-resources management CERES Leerstoelgroep Irrigatie en waterbouwkunde Natural Resources Forum 33 1 29 38 01650203 urn:nbn:nl:ui:32-379939/obj 2026-03-31 http://purl.org/eprint/accessRights/RestrictedAccess