Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Water Equity Issues (HL) (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Jacque Cartwright
Water Equity Issues
Inequitable access to water and sanitation
Water equity refers to the fair distribution of water resources, ensuring everyone has access to:
Safe, clean drinking water
Sanitation
Inequitable access occurs when certain groups of people are denied this basic human right, which is essential for health and well-being
Lack of access to clean water can lead to severe health issues, including the spread of waterborne diseases
Inequitable access to water disproportionately impacts marginalised groups such as:
Indigenous peoples
Low-income communities
Women
Human health impacts of inequitable water access
Unsafe drinking water leads to widespread health issues, including waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid
Diarrhoea, often caused by contaminated water, is responsible for nearly 485,000 deaths annually
In children under five, unsafe water contributes significantly to malnutrition and stunted growth, affecting their development
Poor sanitation leads to the spread of infectious diseases
Especially in overcrowded and impoverished areas
Negative impacts on sustainable development
Inadequate water access undermines sustainable development goals, as clean water is essential for health, education, and economic growth
Access to clean water and sanitation is crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6)
This goal aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all people by 2030
Communities without safe water and sanitation face difficulties in education, economic development, and quality of life
Areas that lack clean water cannot develop industries, grow crops efficiently, or maintain healthy populations, making it difficult to lift people out of poverty
Indigenous communities
Limited access to safe water and sanitation:
Many Indigenous communities, especially in rural or remote areas, have limited or no access to clean water
In Canada, for example, Indigenous reserves face ongoing 'boil water advisories'
This means residents must boil their water before using it
Some of these advisories have lasted for decades
In Australia, Indigenous communities in rural areas often have less reliable access to safe drinking water than urban populations, affecting their health and quality of life
Low-income groups
Water affordability:
For many low-income families, even if clean water is available, they may not be able to afford it
In the United States, rising water prices in cities like Detroit have caused water shut-offs, where families unable to pay water bills have had their water supply cut off
In developing countries, low-income communities may rely on unsafe water sources like rivers or shallow wells
This increases their exposure to diseases
Sanitation challenges:
In urban slums, many people live without proper sanitation facilities, such as toilets or sewage systems
In Kenya, it is estimated that 60% of residents in informal settlements, such as Kibera in Nairobi, have no access to clean toilets, leading to open defecation and severe public health issues
Poor sanitation not only spreads disease but also increases the risk of water contamination, worsening the situation for those who are already vulnerable
Women
Women and girls may be disproportionately affected by water inequity
Some may spend hours walking long distances to collect water
This can prevent them from attending school or engaging in paid work
This can significantly limit their educational and economic opportunities
Lack of access to sanitation may also affect school attendance for girls, who may miss school due to the lack of proper facilities during menstruation
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