Challenges in access to drinking water: a case study in Yaqui communities in Sonora, Mexico

Abstract

This study examines barriers to drinking water access in Yaqui communities in Sonora, Mexico, aiming to identify challenges in availability, quality, accessibility, and afford­ability. Using a mixed-methods approach, 806 surveys were analyzed, alongside interviews with key stakeholders (local authorities, residents) and direct observation in 14 localities (primary sources). Findings reveal contaminated water sources, deficient infrastructure, high costs of bottled water, and organizational fragmentation hindering collective solutions, exacerbating health risks. Limitations include the restricted geographic scope and potential biases in self-reported data. The research contributes originality by integrating quantitative and qualitative perspectives in an understudied indigenous context, highlighting the intersection between water inequity and territorial rights. It is concluded that participatory strategies strengthening community autonomy, prioritizing sustainable water treatment, and addressing economic barriers are urgent to ensure environmental justice. The study underscores the need for intercultural approaches in public water policies.