Infrastructure for water security: coping with risks in rural Kenya

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Achieving universal access to sufficient water is becoming more challenging as climate change exacerbates water insecurity. Previous studies of water insecurity and climate-related hazards recommend understanding how people perceive and manage water-related risks. By uniquely combining protection motivation theory and photovoice, we explore water infrastructure's function in rural Kenyan households’ perception and mitigation of water-related risk. We find that infrastructure construction provides a sense of security, regardless of long-term management plans. During the dry season, built infrastructure's viability to mitigate risk is strained due to natural infrastructure's unreliability. In the context of limited built infrastructure, natural infrastructure, though unimproved, is necessary for water security. In the expected absence of large-scale infrastructure projects, for water authorities in rural Kenya, we recommend the construction of small-scale infrastructure to increase reliance upon rainwater harvesting and lessen the strain on other built infrastructure during the dry season. Coupling our method with an itemized scale can help explain discrepancies between actual insecurity and individuals’ responses to help water authorities predict interventions’ effectiveness and inform the division of responsibilities in policies intended to promote sustainable infrastructure management. We also recommend our method for assessing water infrastructure's role among households managing multiple climate-related risks to expand infrastructure's resilience.</jats:p>

Climate and hydrological seasonal effects on household water insecurity: A systematic review

“…Seasonal water scarcity can increase musculoskeletal issues of those who haul water from far distances (Hanrahan & Mercer, 2019). Dry seasons also cause surface water sources to become stagnant or decline in quality (Collins et al, 2019; Few et al, 2013; Hamlet et al, 2020; Malley et al, 2009; Pearson et al, 2016). Studies in locations where there is higher salt concentration in groundwater demonstrate greater exposure to salinity in groundwater and risk of hypertension in the dry season (Akib Jabed et al, 2020; Khan et al, 2011; Makame & Kangalawe, 2018; Rakib et al, 2019, 2020).…”

“…Few et al (2013) argue that for those depending on river water sources, there can be transitional seasons of water safety between the dry season, the onset of the rainy season, and the end of the rainy season due to flushing of contaminants. In some areas, the rainy season means that rainwater sources—often of higher quality—can be used to meet household water needs (Benebere et al, 2017; Few et al, 2013; Hamlet et al, 2020; Kelly et al, 2018; Makame & Kangalawe, 2018; Mason, 2015; Mwiturubani, 2017; Rakib et al, 2019; Tucker et al, 2014). Eichelberger (2018), however, finds that some communities in Alaska experience seasonal rainwater contamination from distant wildfires.…”

“…The effects of environmental seasonality on household water adequacy occur when households must pursue alternative sources and/or spend more time acquiring water (Table S6). Whether caused by reduced precipitation, drought, freezing temperatures, winter storms, or flooding, water scarcity requires households to walk farther distances, queue in longer lines, or use water that is closer but of worse quality (Benebere et al, 2017;Collins et al, 2019;Eichelberger, 2010Eichelberger, , 2018Eichelberger, , 2019Hailu et al, 2020;Hamlet et al, 2020;Hanrahan & Mercer, 2019;Kelly et al, 2018;Lasage et al, 2008;Mukasa et al, 2020;Mushavi et al, 2020;Nyong & Kanaroglou, 1999;Pearson et al, 2015;Stevenson et al, 2012;Tucker et al, 2014;Uzomah & Scholz, 2002). Depending on their locations, households respond to water inadequacy in different ways.…”

A conceptual framework for gender and climate mainstreaming to mitigate water inaccessibility in ruralsub‐SaharanAfrica

“…Even when sufficient water is physically available, water may still be inaccessible (Akinyemi et al, 2005; Alexander et al, 2015; Armah et al, 2018; Asoba et al, 2019; Atangana Ondoa, 2017; Busari, 2002; Cole et al, 2015; Debela et al, 2020; Dinko et al, 2018; Dugard & Mohlakoan, 2009; Dungumaro, 2007; Emenike et al, 2017; Engel et al, 2007; Fisher et al, 2015; Foster, 2013; Gondo & Kolawole, 2013; Hamlet et al, 2021; Hope et al, 2020; Hope & Rouse, 2013; Marcatelli, 2013; Marcatelli, 2014; Marson & Savin, 2014; Miller, Frongillo, et al, 2021; Mosimane & Kamwi, 2020; et al, 2006; Sjöstedt, 2009; Smiley et al, 2020; Swatuk & Kgomotso, 2007; Yang et al, 2013). Economic water scarcity is defined as a lack of infrastructure or poor water resources management (Busari, 2002; Noemdoe et al, 2006; Swatuk & Kgomotso, 2007), and is a factor in SSA that increases distance required to fetch water (Egbinola, 2017).…”

Fostering the transformative potential of participatory photography: Insights from water and sanitation assessments

“…Several examples emerged from the literature to counter these challenges. One activity recruited marginalized women who already had program-based experience with smartphones for the identification of water security risks [47]. Similarly, in our empirical case, participants already used smartphones in their day-to-day lives.…”