Water Utilities and Equity in Disasters: A Systematic Literature Review
Publication: ASCE Inspire 2023
ABSTRACT
Water infrastructure systems are interconnected with social systems—water services are essential for sanitation, drinking, and emergency response, among other societal needs. However, the level of water service delivered is not equal across all communities, especially in disasters. For example, water service disruptions may disproportionately impact low-income neighborhoods and other marginalized communities that lack resilient infrastructure improvements. As such, we must consider the socio-technical impacts of water service disruptions, specifically understanding how inequities emerge in the provision of water services during disasters. Here, we perform a systematic literature review, identifying challenges utilities face in the equitable provision of water services in disasters. Findings show few articles that study water infrastructure management post-disaster use an equity lens. We conclude that further research is needed to spur equitable water-sector preparedness, planning, and response to disasters.
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ASCE Inspire 2023
Pages: 349 - 357
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Published online: Nov 14, 2023
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