Puerto Rico has the highest rate of drinking water violations out of any US jurisdiction. Climate change, colonial exploitation, and neoliberal austerity measures have led to water insecurity in Puerto Rico, amidst extreme weather events, environmental degradation, and social inequity. Water contamination and rationing, as a result of the cumulative impact of these socioecological conditions, pose significant threats to public health in Puerto Rico, particularly for women and children, as Puerto Rico has increased rates of preterm birth and children with disabilities compared to the mainland US. However, little research has explored a multi-sectoral perspective of how to envision a disaster-resilient future and water justice in Puerto Rico. This study will be build on our prior research on exposure to metals in drinking water during pregnancy and child neurodevelopment in the PROTECT birth cohort, which focuses on environmental exposures and maternal and child health in Puerto Rico. The proposed study seeks to understand the conditions of water contamination and access in Puerto Rico through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. These findings will reveal how experts from different sectors uniquely perceive barriers and solutions to water justice in a changing climate. The results can be used to inform and to increase transparency on public water resources decision-making, the allocation of government funding, disaster preparedness, and public health. In addition to a published manuscript, the results from this aim will be publicly disseminated as a summary infographic and educational video to PROTECT participants, participating community organizations, and stakeholders.

Photo cred: usatoday.com

This study aims to conduct up to 15 semi-structured interviews to understand hydrosocial conditions and identify potential justice-focused interventions in Puerto Rico. We will conduct semi-structured interviews with community organization leaders, legislators/public policy experts, Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) representatives, local government representatives, and federal government representatives to understand different perspectives on how to improve water security in Puerto Rico. The specific aims of the study are to:

1. Examine how representative stakeholders from different sectors perceive the state of drinking water and their organization’s role in working toward water justice in Puerto Rico.
2. Assess participants’ views of barriers and facilitating factors to collaborating with other sectors to improve water quality and access in Puerto Rico.
3. Understand participants’ ideas about and plans for addressing water contamination, water insecurity, and the future of the water system in Puerto Rico.

Photo cred: abcnews.go.com

Researchers Involved: