Addressing the impossible triad – high inequality, decentralized policy and low local capacity – challenges for drinking water policy in Mexico

What are the planning challenges faced in addressing equity? This paper discusses the importance of understanding institutional and policy contexts affecting planners’ efforts to close water access gaps across communities in low and middle income countries. Three challenges combined complicate local governments action towards water access: decentralization of water policy, high levels of inequality and low levels of local capacity, what we call the ‘impossible triad.’ Our analysis of two programmes designed to address the needs of the most marginalized communities in Mexico shows that programme requirements still fail to consider local constraints. Prior to decentralization, policies designed to reduce water access inequality relied on national government provision of municipal water infrastructure. Decentralized water policies differ, presenting severe institutional challenges for even the most well intentioned planners. This paper emphasizes the importance of national-level government involvement in addressing national-level inequalities and calls for reconsideration of decentralized policymaking structures to address massive water access inequalities.