This concept paper explores the issue of communities struggling without reliable water sources. It aims to understand the lived experiences of those affected and how the lack of safe water impacts their health and livelihoods. While efforts have provided more people with access to drinking water, some communities still suffer due to unsafe sources. Living without reliable water can have deadly health consequences and impose economic burdens as households spend time and money accessing distant or unsafe sources. Further research is needed to better understand cultural and gender dynamics surrounding water and how policies can improve local access and management.
This concept paper explores the issue of communities struggling without reliable water sources. It aims to understand the lived experiences of those affected and how the lack of safe water impacts their health and livelihoods. While efforts have provided more people with access to drinking water, some communities still suffer due to unsafe sources. Living without reliable water can have deadly health consequences and impose economic burdens as households spend time and money accessing distant or unsafe sources. Further research is needed to better understand cultural and gender dynamics surrounding water and how policies can improve local access and management.
This concept paper explores the issue of communities struggling without reliable water sources. It aims to understand the lived experiences of those affected and how the lack of safe water impacts their health and livelihoods. While efforts have provided more people with access to drinking water, some communities still suffer due to unsafe sources. Living without reliable water can have deadly health consequences and impose economic burdens as households spend time and money accessing distant or unsafe sources. Further research is needed to better understand cultural and gender dynamics surrounding water and how policies can improve local access and management.
This concept paper explores the issue of communities struggling without reliable water sources. It aims to understand the lived experiences of those affected and how the lack of safe water impacts their health and livelihoods. While efforts have provided more people with access to drinking water, some communities still suffer due to unsafe sources. Living without reliable water can have deadly health consequences and impose economic burdens as households spend time and money accessing distant or unsafe sources. Further research is needed to better understand cultural and gender dynamics surrounding water and how policies can improve local access and management.
"A Phenomenological Exploration of the Realities and Experiences of Those
Struggling Without Reliable Water Sources"
Buhi-an Russell Van
Lumangyao Reven Rey Sumampong Jay Archie Jr. XI Jade
1. The research focus dwells on gaining insights into the experiences of those struggling without reliable water sources, learning about their living conditions, and knowing how the issue affects them. Safe water sources are one of the basic needs people should have access to because it is vital in maintaining individuals' health and livelihood.
2. The condition/s which give/s rise to my research questions is the scarcity of
verified reliable water sources and their impacts on certain areas or communities. Since the start of the 21st century, a huge number of people have been given access to drinkable water. However, despite the efforts to make an impact, there are still a lot of communities affected by unsafe water sources. According to the World Health Organization: WHO (2023), contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. It was also noted by the World Health Organization: WHO (2023) that some 1 million people are estimated to die each year from diarrhoea as a result of unsafe drinking water, sanitation and hand hygiene. The consequences of unverified water sources are deadly. Lastly, the goal of this study is to understand the lives of those affected by this issue, therefore, factors influencing their lives should be thoroughly examined.
3. The ideal situation would have been a scenario where individuals from communities could test the quality of nearby water sources on their own. In this hypothetical scenario, the issue of unreliable water sources is no longer present thanks to the availability of a revolutionary technology that empowers individuals from communities to test the quality of nearby water sources on their own. With the introduction of this innovative technology, community members no longer need to rely solely on external authorities or organizations to assess the safety of their water sources. Instead, they have access to portable, user-friendly water testers that allow them to conduct on-the-spot assessments of water quality. 4. The possible reasons for the discrepancy between items 2 and items 3 can be seen in item 2, where communities still suffer from the impacts of unreliable water sources despite global efforts to provide access to safe drinking water, and the hypothetical situation described in item 3, where individuals have access to technology for testing water quality on their own, can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the persistence of unsafe water sources despite global initiatives may be due to systemic challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and socioeconomic disparities that hinder the effective delivery of clean water to all communities. Additionally, bureaucratic hurdles, political instability, and insufficient monitoring and enforcement mechanisms may contribute to the continued prevalence of unsafe water sources in certain areas. Conversely, the hypothetical scenario in item 3 presents an idealized solution where technological advancements overcome these barriers, providing communities with the means to independently assess water quality. However, in reality, the implementation and widespread adoption of such technology may face obstacles such as affordability, accessibility, and cultural acceptance, which could prevent its effective deployment and impact on addressing the issue of unreliable water sources.
5. The following intervention/s that has/have been done to solve the problem: Governments and international organizations invest in building or upgrading water supply infrastructure such as wells, boreholes, piped water systems, and water treatment plants to provide communities with reliable access to clean water. This includes initiatives like the construction of piped networks to distribute water to households and the installation of hand pumps in rural areas. UNICEF invests in water treatment technologies throughout the supply chain, including in households, to ensure safe storage and chemical removal, and ultimately decrease the risk of contamination (Water, 2024). Furthermore, governments and NGOs also have programs focused on educating communities about the importance of clean water, proper sanitation practices, and hygiene behaviours to prevent waterborne diseases and promote sustainable water management. These initiatives often involve community workshops, training sessions, and outreach activities. In regions with limited access to surface water or groundwater sources, rainwater harvesting systems, provide an alternative and sustainable source of water for household use. Ogale (2024) stated that rainwater harvesting systems range from simple rain barrels to more elaborate structures with pumps, tanks, and purification systems. The nonpotable water can be used to irrigate landscaping, flush toilets, wash cars, or launder clothes, and it can even be purified for human consumption. 6. The following facts/findings have been reported in related studies about this problem: Numerous studies have documented the significant health impacts of unreliable water sources on affected communities. These impacts include increased incidence of waterborne diseases such as diarrheal diseases, cholera, typhoid fever, and parasitic infections. The lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation contributes to the spread of these diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Globally, 771 million people lack access to safe water and 1.7 billion people don’t have a toilet. Nearly 1 million people die each year from water, sanitation and hygiene-related diseases which could be reduced with access to safe water or sanitation. Lack of access to safe water also affects the physical well-being of women and children who have no choice but to carry heavy vessels long distances (Effects of the Water Crisis on Health | Water.org, 2024). Unreliable water sources impose a significant economic burden on communities and households. Studies have shown that households without access to reliable water sources often spend a disproportionate amount of time and money collecting water from distant or unsafe sources. This not only affects productivity and income generation but also limits educational and economic opportunities, particularly for women and girls who are primarily responsible for water collection in many communities. Time spent collecting water or seeking a safe place to go accounts for billions of dollars in lost economic opportunities. There are 771 million people in the world who lack access to safe water, and of them, women are generally tasked with water collection. They spend hours, multiple times per day, waiting in long lines at community water kiosks or walking to distant sources like rivers and ponds to find it. This is time spent, and income not earned. An estimated $260 billion is lost globally each year due to a lack of basic water and sanitation (Water & the Economy | Water.org, 2024).
7. The following questions about the problem, however, are still unanswered: 1. How do individuals and communities perceive and define "reliable" water sources? 2. What are the long-term psychological and emotional effects of living with unreliable water sources? 3. How do gender dynamics influence access to and management of water resources? 4. What role do cultural beliefs, practices, and traditions play in shaping water-related behaviours and perceptions? 5. How do governance structures and policies impact access to and management of water resources at the local level? References
World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, September 13). Drinking-water.
DOCS - MONTESCLAROS KATE LINDSAY - THESIS PROPOSAL - Sanitation Facilities Hygiene Practices Water Quality and Diarrhea Incidence in Brgy. Sumile Butuan City - Final
DOCS - MONTESCLAROS KATE LINDSAY - THESIS PROPOSAL - Sanitation Facilities Hygiene Practices Water Quality and Diarrhea Incidence in Brgy. Sumile Butuan City - Final
