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Guatemala faces substantial resource and institutional challenges in successfully managing its national water resources. Deforestation is increasing as the global demand for timber exerts pressure on the forests of Guatemala. Soil erosion, runoff, and sedimentation of surface water is a result of deforestation from development of urban centers, agriculture needs, and conflicting land and water use planning. Sectors within industry are also growing and the prevalence of untreated effluents entering waterways and aquifers has grown alongside. Untreated wastewater contaminates water resources as well where treatment facilities are inadequate. Populations are unequally distributed and this creates challenges of conveyance. In a mountainous country this can easily be mitigated with gravity fed systems. Where water pumps are needed, water delivery is much more expensive and can be a barrier to consistent access. Guatemala is also facing institutional challenges, mostly due to a lack of coordination among the different agencies responsible for water resources management where duplication of efforts and responsibility gaps exist. The National Water Commission (CONAGUA), Guatemala's national water authority, is responsible for implementing the mandates of the National Water Law as well as passing regulation for water resources management. Guatemala passed a National Water Law aimed at reducing deforestation and improving watershed management. Other areas of the law target better treatment of industrial effluents, and improving water supply networks. SEGEPLAN and the ''Secretaria de Recursos Hidraulicos de la Presidencia'' are other ministry level institutions that highlight possible overlaps in duties as both are within the office of the president and have water resources management responsibilities. Guatemala is blessed with ample amounts of rainwater, surface and groundwater. While surface water is abundant, they are seasonal and often polluted. Groundwater from wells and springs is important to the national supply resource meeting demands for potable water for public and domestic needs. Groundwater is also used for the agricultural and industrial sectors as well. Hydroelectricity output is the key component (92%) of Guatemala's electricity generation and is highlighted by the Chixoy hydroelectric project. The National Institute of Electricity (INDE) ''(El Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion)'' oversees and implements hydroelectric projects in Guatemala. ==Water resources management challenges== Major challenges to water resources management in Guatemala includes impacts of deforestation, water pollution, lack of hydrologic data, and institutional coordination. Poor land use planning for agriculture, the timber market, and urban development has led to deforestation and consequent sedimentation of surface waters. Growth in industry sectors has increased runoff of harmful pollutants into rivers, streams, and some leaching into groundwater.〔 Management of water resources in Guatemala is shared by several government agencies and institutions. Most of these agencies conduct their work with little or no coordination with other agencies, which creates duplication of work and inefficient use of resources.〔 In addition, there is a need for the enactment of watershed management plans aimed at integrating different water uses, controlling deforestation and water quality. Water resources in Guatemala are also stressed by domestic users. Generally, populations are larger in regions where water availability is low due to altitude or rainfall deficit, and the opposite is true in regions where water resources are abundant. Guatemala City is a prime example. The city is home to more than 20% (3.2 million) of the countries population. However, the valley where Guatemala City is located is in a south central region of the country and spans the Continental Divide. The location of Guatemala city near the continental divide is at the origin of all nearby rivers where flows are minimal. This equates to small quantities of surface water and inadequate groundwater sources that cannot fully supplement the needs of the city.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Water resources management in Guatemala」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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