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Drop by Drop: Navigating the Waters of Equity, Transparency, and Affordability

By Alexandra Perazzo

Our blue and green marble, Earth, is a host of life. Yet, right now, over two billion people across the globe do not have access to adequate drinking water or sanitation. Despite this being terrible news, it isn’t surprising news. Water is scarce. Water is expensive. It’s why your mom constantly berated you about how long your showers were and why your elementary school taught you about Earth Day. The U.S. is the wealthiest country in the world, yet we too face the problem of providing the basic necessity of water to our citizens. Marcela González Rivas, an associate professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, is involved in research relating to water disparities across communities and improving water policy. She says, “People, in general, don’t think water and sanitation is an issue in the U.S., unfortunately. It’s a misconception.” As simple of a guarantee as water is, the issues surrounding it are not as simple to solve. As time progresses, more and more people are left without water, the quality of water decreases, and the fight for control over water becomes more tense. By 2060, the global population is projected to reach 10 billion people, and the U.S. population is projected to hit 404 million people. With the increasing population, how do we protect water for us, and our not-so-distant relatives?

According to Dr. Rivas, “The water sector is complex and expensive.” From utilities to maintenance, every step of water distribution and use is costly. Awareness of water quality issues only rose in prevalence after public crises were reported, such as that of Flint, Michigan, where people were exposed to toxic levels of lead after switching to the Flint River as their main water source. Similarly, other cities, like Jackson, Mississippi, have faced devastating water issues, leaving thousands of people without safe water. Even worse, in these cities and others facing similar disasters, low-income communities with poor water system infrastructures will be affected the most. 

Water systems, which are the structures supplying water to a region or community, are typically understaffed and under-resourced. These systems, which control water availability, are often challenged by deregulation and privatization. Systems in low-income communities typically face considerable strains on resources and funding, since they have no one to carry their burden. As Dr. Rivas describes, “The larger the system, the more chances you have to get costs financed because you spread the burden across a large set of households.” Generally, there are three groups of systems: investor-owned (private), authority (public), and municipal (public). Investor-owned systems are for-profit organizations that generally have problems with transparency and accountability. Comparatively, public water systems are held more accountable, but they often have lower budgets and little competition. Overall, it’s important to note that these systems' effectiveness varies based on jurisdiction, with differing advantages for each.

Water transparency should be a standard for all water systems and organizations to retain. The foundation of transparency is built upon the idea that policies and data should be shared with the people in the community, so they have a say in the management of water supplies. Dr. Rivas states, “We want to make sure that people become more ‘connected’ to their water because it’s essential. Lack of transparency is one of those obstacles that make it hard to become aware. The best practices are those that make it simple to participate in.” Unfortunately, trust in tap water is declining. This is due to the build-up of a “perfect storm” of uninformed consumers, increased instances of water crises, and environmental injustices in underserved communities. Black, Hispanic, and immigrant households often have the highest avoidance of tap water, because they face the most water insecurity, such as increased instances of water contamination. Avoiding tap water can lead to reliance on bottled water and increased consumption of sugary beverages, leading to adverse health effects, such as diabetes, heart disease, liver issues, and dental problems. This trend is often seen in low-income and minority communities. To solve this, there must be regulations in place for all systems to ensure openness in decision-making, policies, and meetings for the public to join. 

 Dr. Rivas asks, “Can you imagine taking away people’s access to water just because they cannot afford it?” Water equity is another guarantee that should be provided by water systems. All people deserve access to clean, affordable water because it is a basic component of human survival, even though the right to water is not guaranteed by the U.S. There is, however, oversight in water regulations and rules that help manage water systems. Implementations such as the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act have been established, which improve standards for quality. Still, marginalized districts are consistently underfunded. Lack of funding translates to water inequities, such as poorer quality and increased water shutdowns. Short-term risks of contaminated water use include contracting diseases such as cholera, polio, and hepatitis A. Reliance on poor-quality water in the long term could even lead to cancer or reproductive issues. 

Water affordability is another major requirement that should be provided for access to water. This is, understandably, no easy task. “Providing water is expensive. We need plants, technology, large workforces, administration, investments, major infrastructures, and treatments. It’s costly. Add large inequalities and sectors that are poor, and you have a recipe for disaster,” Dr. Rivas explains. Water is necessary to sustain life, and, therefore, it must be affordable for all types of people. “There’s a reality of households finding it hard to make ends meet. Water is basic. I firmly believe water is a human right,” Dr. Rivas claims. And still, there is no permanent national assistance program in place. “Permanent energy assistance programs have existed for 40 years, but not for water,” says Dr. Rivas. As time progresses, water is not going to get cheaper, and the prices will continue to rise. It is imperative that low-income communities are given opportunities to make water more accessible. 

Recent technological booms over the last 50 years have created solutions for water equity, transparency, and affordability. For example, improvements in water purification technology allow for efficient distribution of clean water. Also, advancements in management technology like grid monitors help lower water loss and remote-monitoring technology like real-time tracking confirms water supply levels. Innovations such as upgraded desalination and filtering tools continue to lower costs and improve the availability of clean drinking water. One recent research effort employed in a 2023 paper in the journal Polymers consists of investigating electrospun nanofiber membranes for water treatment purposes, to try and optimize filtration efficiency, selectivity, and long-term durability in water purification. Overall, various projects are being done that point to a better future in water sanitation, distribution, and recycling. While the development of this technology is important, it all starts with the people. The creation of more participatory structures, starting with community leadership, is one way to advance water transparency. The opportunity for community involvement in water-related board meetings will help give the water industry a more holistic view of the needs of those they are serving. The residents of these communities will also feel more comfortable using tap water, aiding the growth of trust in water. 

On the legal side, acts and regulations have been put into place to curb the rising costs and inequities in water, but there is still more to be done. Recently, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act was passed in 2023, which allocated 50 billion dollars to the Environmental Protection Agency to improve drinking water quality and structure. Also, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes funds distributed for water education, sanitation, and infrastructure. Nevertheless, there is more that can be done, including federal-wide regulations for payment plans, fee forgiveness, and assistance programs. “Federal resources for assistance programs are necessary. Water systems cannot afford to provide subsidies to households,” adds Dr. Rivas. 

Water is central to all life. It must be considered a human right. More money, efforts, and research need to be done to protect water and provide safe and accessible drinking water to all people, starting here in our own country. Dr. Rivas says it best: “There are different governance systems, we need to look beyond ourselves. We need strong financing mechanisms, federal resources to provide technical capacities, and to understand that we need to help pay for those who cannot afford water.” Whatever the way, whatever the reason, water must become more equitable and affordable soon.