Abstract
Water and wireless coverage were evaluated in a rural commune of southern Mali. All improved water sources in the area were checked for operability, accessibility, and water quality, while wireless coverage was tested by means of smartphones, phone calls, and instant messaging applications. Theoretical water coverage exceeded 82% of the total village surface area, thus beating the national and sub-Saharan African averages, but dropped to just 39% when considering only serviceable and contamination-free sources. In contrast, wireless coverage exceeded 90%. These outcomes highlight a triple paradox: (1) water from theoretically safe (i.e., improved) water sources is often unsafe to drink; (2) wireless access is better than water access even though water is essential for human survival and telecommunications are not; and (3) excellent Internet coverage does not help a large number of people, who lack the skills, devices, or need to access it. While telecommunications seem to be making inroads towards universal access faster than the water sector, a survey of water committees uncovered a hidden nexus between both resources, revealing that increased wireless access is actually contributing to underpin water coverage in a variety of ways.
Highlights
Water sources is often unsafe to drink; (2) wireless access is better than water access even though water is essential for human survival and telecommunications are not; and (3) excellent Internet coverage does not help a large number of people, who lack the skills, devices, or need to access it
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights declared that the human right to water is indispensable for leading a life of human dignity, and that water access is a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights [1]
82% of the urbanized layout falls within 500 m of an improved water source
Summary
The United Nations has recognized the importance of universal access to water and sanitation on various occasions. Resolution 64/292 states that clean drinking water and sanitation are essential human rights. It calls upon states and international organizations “to provide financial resources, help capacity-building and technology transfer to help developing countries to provide safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all” [2]. Nearly two decades into the 21st century, water access remains a challenge for communities around the planet. 80% of the illnesses in low-income countries are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions, and one out of every five deaths under the age of five can be attributed to a waterborne disease [5]. It is known that many children in developing regions, Water 2017, 9, 375; doi:10.3390/w9060375 www.mdpi.com/journal/water
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