New Interdisciplinary Study Tackles Mexico’s Water Crisis in Guadalajara Metropolitan Area
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A new volume of research offers a comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing water distribution, water quality, and water management in Mexico, with a specific focus on the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area and its reliance on the Lerma–Chapala–Santiago basin. The study, presented at the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), underscores the need for collaborative and sustainable approaches to address a growing crisis.
The book, titled Natural Watershed Management: A Sustainable and Collaborative Approach, is part of the Innovation in Education, Technology and Nature collection and represents the work of researchers from the University Center of Chapala (CUChapala) and collaborating institutions. It was formally unveiled on December 6, 2025, during the “Think and Work” centennial celebration, “1925-2025. A Century of Thinking and Working,” in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Rethinking Water Management Through Multiple Lenses
The research team, comprised of specialists from diverse fields including engineering, technology, law, social ecology, and communication, argues that effective water management requires a holistic understanding of the interconnected systems at play. The core principle guiding the work is that all cities are fundamentally linked to their surrounding hydrological basin, and a thorough understanding of its function is critical to ensuring reliable access to clean water.
The volume is structured into three sections, each exploring different facets of the water challenge. Researchers from CUChapala collaborated with colleagues from the University Center of Art, Architecture and Design (CUAAD), Las Valles University Center (CUValles), University Center of the South Coast (CUCsur), and the CICESE research institute, as well as receiving input from international reviewers in Colombia and Argentina.
Experts involved in the project emphasize that the water problem extends far beyond purely technical considerations. During the book’s presentation, specialists highlighted the significant role of social, environmental, and political factors. Issues such as pollution, the presence of heavy metals, overexploitation of resources, geographic variability, and a lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding water supply sources all contribute to a complex situation demanding evidence-based public policy.
“Water distribution is not just a technical issue; it is a social and political issue,” stated Dr. Jorge Lozoya Arandia, director of the Sustainability and Technologies Division of CUChapala. “To build real solutions, decisions must be supported by academic research and robust technological knowledge.”
A New Seminar and a Path Forward
The publication of Natural Watershed Management also marks the launch of a new Seminar on Socio-Environmental Problems at CUChapala. This permanent project is designed to facilitate ongoing, comprehensive analysis of the water problem and foster the development of inter-institutional solutions specifically tailored to the challenges within the Lerma–Chapala–Santiago basin – a crucial source of water for Guadalajara. The book aims to provide a solid foundation for understanding and addressing these specific problems, offering actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.
Photography for the event was provided courtesy of CUChapala.
