A qualitative study by anthropologists from the Ateneo de Manila University and Wageningen University explores how communities living along the Marikina River in the Philippines assess water quality based on their everyday experiences and sensory perceptions. The research underscores the importance of incorporating local knowledge into water policy and management, particularly when dealing with invisible contaminants like microplastics. Water quality and water management are crucial issues facing many communities worldwide.
Tasting the Difference
A study by Gideon Lasco and Anita Hardon finds that residents of the Marikina River communities, for example, assess water quality through their senses. Clear water was believed to be healthier than muddy water, though the researchers learned that for many residents the taste of the water mattered more.
For example, a different community member may choose sweet water over of clear but water that is rusty in flavor The study also found that although most people think of water quality as a moving target—known to be affected by natural events like typhoons, for instance—they don’t necessarily consider these realities when making decisions about what is safe. Following a heavy rainstorm, the water might become muddied for a short period, but clear up and improve progressively.
Uneven Access and Impacts
But water supply largely remains a perogative especially for the poor communities, as in the case of Marikina River. The fact that downstream urban areas can accommodate and bear the cost of water refilling stations and bottled water. On the flip side, those living upriver often rely on natural sources like springs which run the risk of contamination.
Another discovery made by the researchers is that, while water-distribution private-sector involvement may have increased access overall, significant swathes of low-income and upstream communities still have no continuous link to piped water. Disparities in clean water access such as those above illustrate the social and economic drivers of drinking water quality differences.
Bringing Local Perspectives to Water Policy
The study also indicates that policymakers and water management bodies should include indigenous peoples in their planning, respecting their local experience on the quality of water. This is especially important for Lasco and Hardon when it comes to microplastic pollution, a form of contamination that can be easily missed through traditional means.
If we learn how people perceive and experience ‘good’ water using their chemical senses, better water policies and treatment approaches will fit the community needs/preferences. Leveraging such a broad perspective onto the water management, we can achieve more sustainable solutions for water related problems that cater to both environment and social needs: providing clean and safe water for every one of us.
