The high cost of water for Mexico's poorest households

Abstract

This study was aimed at analyzing how access to piped and other sources of water is related to the costs incurred by households to access water sources, while also considering income deciles in the analysis. The analysis shows a significant difference in access to water between low-income and high-income households, as well as the impact that this can have in terms of low-income households spending more to gain access to different sources of water. This microlevel analysis demonstrates that the design of public policies for the provision of public services, in this case, access to water, should include a diversified socio-economic component. HIGHLIGHTS Although the information at the macrolevel can show high access to water, this is not necessarily reflected at the microlevel.; Households with higher levels of poverty have lower levels of access to water and higher costs for its access.; Public policy on the provision of public services should take greater account of issues of equity and socio-economic diversification.;

Keywords

• access
• cost
• poverty
• public policies
• water