Resumen

SOARES, Denise. Chronicle of an announced failure: decentralization of drinking water management in México. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2007, vol.4, n.1, pp.19-37. ISSN 1870-5472.

This work identifies the process that has given direction and regulated decentralization of drinking water management in the country and analyzes, through a case study in the municipality of Ixtapan de la Sal, State of México, the congruence between the legal framework and the institutional capacity installed, arguing that practical aspects implied in drinking water management at the municipal level do not show large advances in terms of efficiency or responsibility in service provision. It is concluded that objectives that had been set in matters of drinking water service obligations for municipalities and decentralized organisms have still not been fulfilled, which is why although renovation of the legal framework proved to be a necessary measure, it has not been enough to tackle the water problem. In face of this situation, some requisites for water operation organisms are suggested, so that they may fulfill their commitments.

Palabras llave : Drinking water; National Water Commission; Ixtapan de la Sal.