Conditions of use and levels of household access to water in rural communities in the Amazon

Condiciones de uso y niveles de acesso doméstico del agua en comunidades rurales de la Amazonía

Abstract

Access to water is a human right and a UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). However, in riverine communities in northern Brazil, there is a prominent lack of water supply and other public services. This study aimed to analyze the conditions of household water use in riverine communities in the Central Amazon and classify their level of access to clean water according to those established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Secondary data from 3,285 households in floodable and non-floodable areas in the Mamirauá and Amanã Sustainable Development Reserves were evaluated. The analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and simple correspondence analysis. It was found that 71% of the population has basic access to water, with rainwater harvesting and chlorine point-of-use treatment. To improve access to water, investments are needed for the improvement of rainwa-ter harvesting systems and the use of complementary water sources, be it collectively or individually (per household).

Keywords:
Water access; household water treatment; rural population; Amazon; floodplain