The inequitable distribution of water resources in urban areas has emerged as a major concern across the globe, with wealthy elites being identified as the main culprits behind this predicament.
Recent research by the University of Reading has revealed that social disparities are the primary drivers of water crises in cities, outweighing the impact of environmental factors such as climate change or urbanization.
“This shows the close links between social, economic and environmental inequality. Ultimately, everyone will suffer the consequences unless we develop fairer ways to share water in cities,” the researchers explain.
The study sheds light on how affluent urbanites are excessively consuming water for recreational purposes, such as filling their expansive swimming pools, irrigating their lawns, or washing their vehicles.
Water scarcity
The investigation focused on Cape Town, South Africa, where widespread water scarcity has deprived the underprivileged of basic amenities like taps and toilets, forcing them to ration their meager water supply for essential tasks like drinking and sanitation.
The study also highlighted similar discrepancies in 80 other urban centers worldwide, including but not limited to London, Miami, Barcelona, Beijing, Tokyo, Melbourne, Istanbul, Cairo, Moscow, Bangalore, Chennai, Jakarta, Sydney, Maputo, Harare, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, and Rome.
“Climate change and population growth mean that water is becoming a more precious resource in big cities, but we have shown that social inequality is the biggest problem for poorer people getting access to water for their everyday needs,” the researchers explain.
“More than 80 big cities worldwide have suffered from water shortages due to droughts and unsustainable water use over the past 20 years, but our projections show this crisis could get worse still as the gap between the rich and the poor widens in many parts of the world.”
Poor water management
Employing a model to scrutinize the water usage patterns of urban residents in Cape Town, a team of researchers endeavored to comprehend the discrepancies in water consumption among various social strata.
The study identified five social groups, ranging from the “elite” – individuals inhabiting spacious homes replete with lush gardens and swimming pools – to the “informal dwellers” – those who often dwell in shacks located on the city’s outskirts.
Astonishingly, despite constituting a mere 14% of Cape Town’s populace, elite and upper-middle-income households account for over half (51%) of the city’s water consumption, while informal dwellers and lower-income groups, which make up 62% of the city’s population, consume just 27% of the water.
The researchers emphasize that the current strategies for managing water supplies in water-scarce cities primarily concentrate on technical remedies, such as enhancing water infrastructure efficiency, which fails to address the underlying social causes of water scarcity. Instead, a proactive strategy aimed at curbing the unsustainable water usage practices of the affluent is the need of the hour, the study concludes.
