Geography ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 4-15-2020

Abstract

Rural community drinking water systems in New Mexico are facing many challenges, including a lack of personnel, deteriorating infrastructure, lack of funds, overly burdensome and confusing regulation, environmental concerns, and concerns over water rights. Governing agencies are creating vulnerability by making managers prioritize some issues and neglect others. Water systems designated a Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Associations are especially problematic because they are small and managed by volunteers but have as much regulatory burden as larger municipalities. I use the theory of institutional work to explain how an institution that was originally designed to help low-income and rural communities is now harming them. It is also a racially discriminatory institution as these water systems are more often in majority Hispanic communities. Instead of state agencies existing and serving community drinking water systems, the situation has flipped so that drinking water systems appear to be serving the existence of governing agencies.

Degree Name

Geography

Department Name

Geography

Level of Degree

Masters

First Committee Member (Chair)

Dr. Benjamin Warner

Second Committee Member

Dr. Chris Duvall

Third Committee Member

John Fleck

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Keywords

water, rural, institutions, vulnerability, governance

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