Community culture and rural water management
Subject
environmental science
potable water
rural communities
cultural anthropology
potable water
rural communities
cultural anthropology
Abstract
Access to potable water has been on the forefront of the international agenda for almost
three decades. The international community has been working together in developing potable
water management programs and improving potable water access. This thesis examines how the
nature of rural communities influences water usage and rural potable water projects in
Nicaragua. Factors such as proximity to urban environments and exposure to nongovernmental
organizations are demonstrated to play a role in shaping community expectations and satisfaction
with potable water projects. The author proposes approaches for addressing urban influence
focused on improving flexibility of project consultation processes, strengthening project
monitoring, and enhancing the level of community knowledge with respect to available potable
water systems. The author briefly explores how this case study is transferrable to other
communities in developing countries.