Guatemala's wastewater treatment plants largely non‑functional amid sanitation crisis

Guatemala is confronting a severe shortfall in wastewater treatment capacity. Of roughly 2,000 registered plants, about 800 are out of operation or running at reduced capacity, leading to 2,195 illegal discharges recorded in 2025. Officials attribute the problem to inadequate maintenance and limited municipal expertise. The government has launched a rehabilitation plan and is seeking financing to upgrade the system, especially in the Motagua River basin.

In Mexico, the state of Guanajuato ranked third nationwide for the share of companies that treat their wastewater, with more than 7% of firms applying treatment compared with a national average of 5.6%. The high adoption rate is linked to the state's strong manufacturing base, higher water prices, and investment capacity. BBVA Research notes that Guanajuato’s industrial sector spent the most on water in 2023 and that the state also scores well on water‑operator efficiency.