Linking Water (In)security to Social and Ecological Justice: A Case Study from Karachi
Abstract
Water security requires not only ensuring water availability, but also ensuring citizens access to the water supply. In the Global South, especially in water scarce urban areas with weak infrastructure, the myopic focus on increasing water supplies often fails to consider social inequalities that render large portions of the population water insecure despite ample availability of water. This study uses a political-ecological lense to assess water security in a low-income and multiethnic township of Lyari in Karachi, Pakistan that suffers from acute water insecurity. We employ a mixed-methods approach, combining 430 household surveys (selected through purposive sampling), interviews with relevant stakeholders, and participant observations to investigate factors that influence the ability of households to purchase, access, and consume a safe and adequate volume of water for domestic purposes. Results reveal significant water supply disparities within Lyari township. Households connect to the water supply mains on a self-help basis with large capital costs, and have largely erratic supply schedules, often at inconvenient hours. Water quality tests from both source and end-users reveal that water in Lyari is largely unfit for consumption and leads to high incidence of water borne diseases. Lower income groups and ethnically marginalized communities are especially disadvantaged; their water supply is often illegally diverted forcing them to travel long distances, ask neighbors, and/or pay a disproportionately higher percentage of their income (as much as 35%) on water expenses. The practice and praxis of political patronage, financial privilege, and unchecked water markets exposes them to conditions of extreme water scarcity. These findings highlight the importance of addressing issues of social and ecological justice to achieve water security and develop resilient water systems.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021AGUFMSY45B0792A