Health impacts of water and sanitation insecurity in the Global North: a scoping literature review for U.S. colonias on the Mexico border

Zheng, Madeleine; Wutich, Amber; Brewis, Alexandra; Kavouras, Stavros A.

doi:10.2166/wh.2022.085

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The health outcomes of residents in the colonias have been negatively impacted by poor living conditions and environmental factors. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, are prevalent in these communities and are intricately tied to housing conditions [7,14,15]. A lack of access to quality food, parks, and public spaces for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, inadequate insulation and kitchens, and proximity to crops exposed to harmful pesticides are contributing factors to these poor health outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, limited access to healthcare facilities and providers further exacerbates these issues [7,16]. Studies have documented that residents in the colonias have limited access to water, which creates feelings of insecurity regarding water and sanitation and has further negative impacts on their physical and mental health [14]. Furthermore, the colonias are affected by high rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Bird’s-Eye View of Colonias Hosting Forgotten Americans and Their Community Resilience in the Rio Grande Valley

Kyne

2023

Geographies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Colonia communities, which host forgotten Americans, lack essential services such as portable water, adequate wastewater and solid waste disposal, adequate drainage, and adequate paved roads. The aim of this study is to investigate five key aspects of the colonias in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), which include the total count of colonias in the valley, their susceptibility to public health hazards, flooding occurrences, the transformations that have occurred over the past two decades, and community resilience. This research utilizes two datasets, namely the Colonia Database from the Texas Secretary of State and the community resiliency estimates from the Census Bureau. Geographical information systems (GIS) methods are employed to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of colonia communities. The principal results reveal that colonia communities host 14% of the RGV’s total 1.37 million population. About half of the total colonia population resides in Hidalgo County, followed by Starr, Cameron, and Willacy counties. About 87% of the total colonia communities exist in census tracts characterized by low or very low community resiliency. Furthermore, 26% of the total colonia communities experiencing flooding after rainfall are in tracts with low or very low community resiliency. This study provides the major conclusion that while there have been slight improvements in the colonias’ susceptibility to public health risks within the past two decades, there still remains significant developmental work. Without tackling these challenges, achieving meaningful progress in community resilience becomes a daunting task. Applying an environmental justice lens to the issues faced by colonia communities helps shed light on the systemic inequalities and injustices they experience.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Bird’s-Eye View of Colonias Hosting Forgotten Americans and Their Community Resilience in the Rio Grande Valley

Kyne

2023

Geographies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Making a vicious cycle virtuous: A research and policy agenda for advancing the water security of unregulated users in the Southwestern U.S.

Dobbin,

Hernandez,

Bostic

et al. 2024

WIREs Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the United States, most residents receive water from centralized utilities regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Yet, a sizable portion of U.S. residents satisfy their household water needs through decentralized means, including domestic wells, very small water systems, and hauled water. These federally unregulated water users are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly in aridifying regions like the Southwest. They are, however, inconsistently monitored and regulated at the Tribal, federal, state, and local levels. Compared to regulated users, very few programs exist to assist this population in securing and maintaining safe, affordable drinking water access. This neglect creates a vicious cycle whereby their water security needs remain both poorly understood and inadequately addressed. We review available data sources, regulations, assistance programs, and published studies relevant to unregulated water users across the Southwestern U.S. to illustrate this injurious feedback loop. We then propose four key areas for intervention to transform this vicious cycle into a virtuous one. Drawing on new insights from the emerging literature on modular, adaptive, and decentralized (MAD) water infrastructure, we highlight opportunities for investment and innovation to support decentralized service alongside existing investments in centralized infrastructure, and the critical need to attend to justice in the design and implementation of such policies.This article is categorized under: Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change Human Water > Water Governance Human Water > Rights to Water

show abstract

Evaluating water security in sub‐Saharan Africa: Examining a case study of water supply inventory, accessibility, and predictability on Iwo, Nigeria

Ogunbode,

Oyebamiji,

Akinkuolie

et al. 2024

World Water Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The security of nations concerning water accessibility by 2030 is under threat due to climate change, potentially hindering global targets outlined in SDG 6. This study assesses the water security of the sub‐Saharan region, focusing on Iwo, Nigeria. Surveys on household water sources, availability, and use were conducted across 12 months among 937 households. Climatic data spanning 31 years (1992–2022) from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency were analyzed for water supply evaluation. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied to the datasets. Results revealed a predominant 95% involvement of female heads and individuals above 18 years old. Notably, 92.7% spent less than 10 min obtaining water, with 90.5% not paying water tariffs, indicating a predominantly domestic water use pattern, reflecting the agrarian nature of the study area. Analysis of climatic data highlighted water loss during dry season months and previously rainy months (March, April, and August), confirming climate change manifestations. Household water use consistently exceeded supply, ranging from 348.9 to 444.6 L/month, with a per capita value of 148.6 L (4.95 L/day) falling below the WHO recommendation of 10 to 20 L/day. Regression analysis identified three significant predictive models at p < .005, with Model 3 showing a notable predictability (R value of 42.3 at p < .005 and SE of ±79.05941), and it encompasses more of the variables analyzed. The generally low R value suggests the consideration of additional variables for model validity. Urgent and intentional efforts are required to exploit abundant surface water resources for enhanced justice in water accessibility in aligning with the SDG 6 target.

show abstract

Health impacts of water and sanitation insecurity in the Global North: a scoping literature review for U.S. colonias on the Mexico border

Cited by 11 publications

References 42 publications

A Bird’s-Eye View of Colonias Hosting Forgotten Americans and Their Community Resilience in the Rio Grande Valley

A Bird’s-Eye View of Colonias Hosting Forgotten Americans and Their Community Resilience in the Rio Grande Valley

Making a vicious cycle virtuous: A research and policy agenda for advancing the water security of unregulated users in the Southwestern U.S.

Evaluating water security in sub‐Saharan Africa: Examining a case study of water supply inventory, accessibility, and predictability on Iwo, Nigeria

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About