Increased Access To Water Research Articles

Deciphering Farm Pond Adoption Dynamics and Operational Efficiency in Drought-Prone Regions of Maharashtra, India

The study delves the dynamics of farm pond adoption and operational efficiency in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra during 2022-23. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, data were collected from 160 beneficiaries and 160 non-beneficiaries, employing focus group discussions and structured interviews. Agricultural risks were examined, revealing a significant impact on farm income. Challenges such as low ground water table (MS 0.978), high temperatures (MS 0.966), and least evapotranspiration (MS 0.759) affected farmers' livelihoods, underscoring the need for a multidisciplinary approach to address these issues. The study highlights factors influencing farm pond adoption, with high awareness (96.56%) contrasting with lower adoption rates (51.56%). Adopters cited increased water access (22.81%), and relief from water scarcity (20%) as motives. Non-adopters faced barriers like financial constraints (21.88%) and land shortage (18.75%). Farm pond characteristics were comprehensively explored, revealing variations in size, structure, year of adoption, and irrigation sources. Maintenance activities were examined, showcasing key areas for pond health. Regular inspection (31.88%), vegetation management (17.50%), sediment removal (25.63%), and erosion prevention (19.38 %) emerged as crucial tasks, with variations between the regions. Financial aspects of pond construction and maintenance were elucidated, indicating a need of subsidies. Despite widespread awareness of farm pond benefits, adoption rates remained constrained by financial limitations, land availability, and awareness gaps. The study underscores the importance of targeted interventions, including financial aid, technical guidance, and capacity-building. These efforts are essential for promoting widespread adoption, enhancing agricultural productivity, water management, and the resilience of farming communities in both regions.

Enhancing enzymatic saccharification yields of cellulose at high solid loadings by combining different LPMO activities

BackgroundThe polysaccharides in lignocellulosic biomass hold potential for production of biofuels and biochemicals. However, achieving efficient conversion of this resource into fermentable sugars faces challenges, especially when operating at industrially relevant high solid loadings. While it is clear that combining classical hydrolytic enzymes and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) is necessary to achieve high saccharification yields, exactly how these enzymes synergize at high solid loadings remains unclear.ResultsAn LPMO-poor cellulase cocktail, Celluclast 1.5 L, was spiked with one or both of two fungal LPMOs from Thermothielavioides terrestris and Thermoascus aurantiacus, TtAA9E and TaAA9A, respectively, to assess their impact on cellulose saccharification efficiency at high dry matter loading, using Avicel and steam-exploded wheat straw as substrates. The results demonstrate that LPMOs can mitigate the reduction in saccharification efficiency associated with high dry matter contents. The positive effect of LPMO inclusion depends on the type of feedstock and the type of LPMO and increases with the increasing dry matter content and reaction time. Furthermore, our results show that chelating free copper, which may leak out of the active site of inactivated LPMOs during saccharification, with EDTA prevents side reactions with in situ generated H2O2 and the reductant (ascorbic acid).ConclusionsThis study shows that sustaining LPMO activity is vital for efficient cellulose solubilization at high substrate loadings. LPMO cleavage of cellulose at high dry matter loadings results in new chain ends and thus increased water accessibility leading to decrystallization of the substrate, all factors making the substrate more accessible to cellulase action. Additionally, this work highlights the importance of preventing LPMO inactivation and its potential detrimental impact on all enzymes in the reaction.

WATER INSECURITY AND FOOD INSECURITY NEXUS AMONG LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

The study divulges the connection between food insecurity and water scarcity among livestock farmers in Zamfara State. Nigeria. A total of 360 respondents were sampled using multi-stage sampling technique. The primary data collected for the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Household water insecurity scale, food security index and logit regression model. Analysis of socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers shows that majority were married (98%), 53.6% of the respondents fell within the range of 41–50 years; suggesting that majority of livestock farmers were youthful and physically fit. Herd size indicates that 90.6% keep less than 61 livestock. The average household size was 9 person. Education of the farmers reveals that 30.06% had formal education and 69.04 % attended informal education. The HWISE scale analysis of water insecurity shows that 54.4% were water insecure, while 45.6% of the livestock farmers were water secured. This implies that water insecurity was predominant and adversely affects livestock farmers in the study area. The Food security index revealed that 65% of the livestock farmers were food insecured, while 35% were food secured. The result of logit model indicates that among the hypothesized variables, household size, herd size, farming experience, education status, extension visit and water scarcity were the factors influencing food security status of the livestock farmers in the study area. The study concluded that water scarcity has a negative relationship with the food security status of the livestock farmers. The study recommends that governments construct more subterranean water resources in order to increase water access and lessen shortages and Livestock farmers are urged to make investments in infrastructure for rainwater harvesting.

Determinants of the Adoption of Charco Dam Rainwater Harvesting Technology by Pastoralists in Semi-Arid Areas of Monduli District in Tanzania

The use of water harvesting ponds in Tanzania known as charco dams in watering livestock have been developed to enhance livestock production in semi-arid areas. However, the adoption of charco dam has been very low. This paper examined the determinants of the adoption of charco dam by pastoralists in semi-arid areas of Monduli District in Tanzania. The study used a cross-sectional research design where data were collected at a single point in time. Quantitative data were collected by using pre-tested structured questionnaire from 367 respondents who were randomly selected from seven villages, namely Moita Kipok, Moita Kilorit, Kilimatinde, Moita Bwawani, Makuyuni, Mbuyuni and Naiti in Monduli District. The collected data was entered into SPSS.20 for analysis. Data was analysed using frequency, percentages, and a binary logistic regression model. The study results show that the intervening factors (perceived advantages and disadvantages of charco dam) have a slightly high influence on the adoption of charco dam with predictive power R2 ranging from 29.5 to 44.5 per cent as compared to independent variables with predictive power R2 ranging from 27 to 37 per cent at a 5 per cent level of significance. Furthermore, the study results indicate that the independent variables namely socio-economic factors specifically age (p=0.000), household size (p=0.002), off-farm income (p=0.025), livestock keeping experience (0.001), herd size (0.002) and institutional factors including access to extension services (p=0.030) and subsidies (p=0.005) have an influence on the adoption of charco dam. This study recommends policymakers to devote more weight to perceived advantages and disadvantages of charco dam technology while constructing charco dam rainwater harvesting projects in order to influence pastoralists to accept the technology and increase water access for livestock in semi-arid areas.

Characterization and multicriteria prioritization of water scarcity in sensitive urban areas for the implementation of a rain harvesting program: A case study for water-scarcity mitigation

An estimated 933 million people worldwide face water scarcity in urban environments with marginalized low-income populations. Rainwater harvesting has been proposed as an adaptable mitigation strategy to reduce water scarcity in those environments. As a case study, the present work proposes the implementation of a rainwater harvesting program aimed at the mitigation of water scarcity in highly vulnerable areas within the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara, Mexico. The program was developed and structured based on an innovative strategy with replicable multicriteria characterization and prioritization, to allocate the rainwater harvesting systems in areas with a high sensitivity to water scarcity. The areas were selected based on territorial, hydrologic, and social parameters. The prioritization methodology was successfully applied for the selection of clusters for the allocation of domestic rainwater harvesting systems. A total of 4550 rainwater harvesting units were implemented leading to an estimated total yearly capture of 163,444.88 m3. Based on surveys a 14.2% reduction in water scarcity related diseases was observed in the participant households after 3 months of the systems’ implementation. The developed prioritization methodology offers an alternative for science-based resource allocations aimed at the resolution of specific complex challenges. This methodological approach could be adapted and replicated for other spatial-based decision-making and public policy applications. The implemented program offered an alternative for water scarcity mitigation in an urban environment and its application showed potential to improve the quality of life of the population, who benefited by increasing water access and availability.

Research on Climate Change and Water Heritage Tourism Based on the Adaptation Theory—A Case Study of the Grand Canal (Beijing Section)

Water is at the forefront of climate change and is seen as a major channel through which the effects of climate change are felt. The function of water heritage is closely related to the water bodies on which it depends. Under climate change, the conservation and tourism uses of water heritage resources are facing impacts and challenges. Taking the Beijing Section of the Grand Canal of China as a case, this research applied the adaptation theory to explore the impacts of climate change on heritage tourism of the section of the Grand Canal in Beijing. It was identified that changes in the temperature and the precipitation formed climate-related stimuli to tourism along the Canal from 2012 to 2021 in Beijing. Second, from the supply side of tourism, policies were formulated at a national or municipal level to respond to the changing climate and its impacts on the Canal and its tourism uses. Natural-based solutions (NbS) have been applied to rehabilitate the ecosystem of the Canal, contributing to the enhanced tourism landscape, and providing opportunities for ecological education. Third, from the demand side, high tourism participation along the Canal was examined during the high-temperature years. Meanwhile, the increasing tourist needs for water spaces and activities were observed with evident seasonal patterns. Accordingly, suggestions for climate adaptation of the Grand Canal from a tourism perspective were proposed. For heritage conservation, actions of ecological restoration and monitoring should be further implemented. To assist in the climate adaptation and sustainable development of Grand Canal tourism, suggestions are proposed to enhance the overall tourism planning, increase water accessibility, and heritage interpretation for tourists.

Demand for off-grid desalination technology in small-island communities — Can interfacial solar vapor generation be the answer?

The demand for an off-grid desalination technology and the feasibility of using interfacial solar vapor generation (ISVG) to address the problem were evaluated within the context of Bungin Island. Bungin Island is a small-island community in Indonesia facing water scarcity. By conducting interviews with households there, we found that households located on the exterior portion of the island faced the greatest challenges to water access. For example, only 17 % of exterior households had piped water access, whereas 67 % central households had piped water access. Similar inequities for exterior households were also found with respect to the cost of getting additional water. Thus, we determined that an off-grid desalination technology is best suited for solving the water access problems for the most vulnerable communities in small islands. ISVG technologies that draw on the radiative energy in sunlight to achieve desalination are promising in increasing water access by offering a floating off-grid devices on water near exterior households, passive operation, low capital investment, and simple maintenance. These findings stress the importance of understanding how contextual factors shape barriers to water access and provide a road map on how to begin incorporating these factors into the development of a more sustainable desalination technology.

Limited enzymatic hydrolysis induced pea protein gelation at low protein concentration with less heat requirement

Heat-induced plant protein gels commonly require high protein concentration and temperatures. However, hydrolysis of some plant proteins may promote their gelation under milder conditions. In this study, Alcalase (EC No. 3.4.21.62) was used to quickly (3 min) hydrolyze pea proteins, and the physicochemical properties and gelling capacity of their hydrolysates were investigated. Hydrolysates showed a degree of hydrolysis of more than 6.5%, and most of the peptides were smaller than 15 kDa. Their intrinsic fluorescence intensity and surface hydrophobicity were lower compared to those of pea protein solutions, indicating increased water accessibility and polarity. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed the onset and denaturation temperatures were higher in the hydrolysates than in the proteins. But the former was unstable at high temperatures (85 °C) and aggregated to form gels at 5% protein concentration. Pea protein hydrolysate gels exhibited an average G’ of ∼170 Pa and ∼15 Pa at pH7 and pH8, respectively. Their viscosities were ∼30–80 times higher than those of the protein solution at a low shear rate (<0.1 s−1) under the same pH and heating conditions. The addition of NaCl, urea, thiourea, and dithiothreitol decreased the gel strength remarkably, suggesting electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, and hydrogen and disulfide bonds contributed to the gelation. Confocal and electron microscopy showed that protein hydrolysates-based gels either formed a network composed of a thread-like structure (pH7) or large coarse aggregates with irregular shapes (pH8). The findings shed light on the gelation mechanisms of enzymatically modified pea proteins.

The global water crises: a cross-national analysis of metabolic rift theory

Unchecked consumption, extraction, and growth have resulted in severe damage to ecological systems. Fresh water issues constitute one of the great challenges for political ecologists. On the one hand, there is a human health and development crisis and over 700 million people still lack access to clean, safe drinking water. On the other hand, there is a growing environmental water crisis regarding water scarcity, water stress, and freshwater resource depletion. This analysis utilizes metabolic rift theory to demonstrate the disruptive consequences that human development and agriculture have on the water cycle. I use two-way fixed effects longitudinal regression for 176 nations from 1970-2015 to test how agriculture, capital, international aid, governance, and civil society are associated with two important water indicators: access to water and water stress. I find that agriculture is associated with higher levels of water stress and higher levels of water access. Higher GDP per capita and international aid increase water access but have no significant relationship with water stress. Additionally, international non-governmental organizations and environmental treaty ratifications are associated with decreased water stress, but also decreased water access. Therefore, I find that the disruptive processes of capital and development have differential impacts on these two interrelated water outcomes. This political ecological analysis suggests that simple solutions that address water access or water stress alone, without considering the interrelated aspects of global water issues, may inadvertently influence other facets of the world's growing water concerns. Furthermore, agriculture and development create an ever-growing metabolic rift in the processes that allow fresh water to replenish itself, leading to future global issues of water access and stress.

Ultracompact Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with a Monolayer Coating of Succinylated Heparin: A New Class of Renal-Clearable and Nontoxic T1 Agents for High-Field MRI.

Herein, we present a new magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (MION) with a succinylated heparin monolayer coating, which exhibits the highest T1 relaxivity at 7 T and the lowest r2/r1 reported for any MION at these high-field conditions. While the recent proliferation of 7 T MRI instruments in hospitals worldwide has enabled widespread access to higher quality, more finely detailed, diagnostic imaging, clinically available contrast agents have not kept pace due to the general phenomenon of reduced efficacy of T1 relaxation as magnetic field strength is increased. Development of new MION agents is one strategy to address this need, and to this end, we demonstrate the in vitro magnetic properties of the MIONs reported here to extend to in vivo applications, providing greatly increased contrast in tumor imaging in a murine xenograft subject at 7 T. While MION-based contrast agents can have side effects in clinical application, these are generally thought to be less than those of gadolinium-based agents and here are further reduced by the small size allowing direct glomerular filtration from the blood followed by renal-excretion. Finally, we show the succinylated heparin monolayer coating to provide class leading magnetic properties over a homologous series of particles with core size ranging from 2 to 18 nm and show the properties to be strongly related to the surface area. We suggest the increased porosity and hydrophilicity of the coating to increase water accessibility to the surface resulting in the increased magnetic properties.

Hydrate Philly: An Intervention to Increase Water Access and Appeal in Recreation Centers.

IntroductionPrevious interventions to increase water access and consumption have focused on school settings, have shown mixed results on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, and have rarely addressed tap water safety. Our randomized controlled trial examined how improving access and appeal of water in recreation centers in low-income neighborhoods affected counts of SSBs carried by youth attending summer camp.MethodsRecreation centers (N = 28) matched on their characteristics were randomly assigned to control or intervention groups. Intervention centers received a new water fountain with a bottle filler (hydration station), water testing services, reusable water bottles, and water promotion and education training and materials. Primary outcomes were 1-year changes in center-level average daily gallons of water from fountains and hydration stations (flowmeter readings). Secondary outcomes were counts of SSBs observed, use of bottled water and reusable water bottles, staff SSB consumption, and hydration station maintenance.ResultsResults showed increased water use (b = 8.6, 95% CI, 4.2–13.0) and reusable bottle counts (b = 10.2, 95% CI, 4.2–16.1) in intervention centers compared with control centers. No change occurred in youth carrying SSBs at camp, but center staff’s past 30-day SSB consumption frequency decreased (b = −34.8, 95% CI, −67.7 to −1.9). Intervention sites had marginally lower odds of maintenance problems (OR = 0.09; 95% CI, 0.004–0.76, P = .06) than control sites.ConclusionAlthough providing hydration stations along with water testing, reusable water bottles, education, and promotion increased water consumption among youth at recreation centers, it had no effect on the number of SSBs observed during camp. Future strategies to increase water consumption should also address reducing SSB intake.

Recognizing the dynamics of household water insecurity in the rapidly changing polar north: Expected uncertainties in access, quality, and consumption patterns in Niugtaq (Newtok), Alaska

Variability of water sources and water consumption patterns throughout the year is an under-explored characteristic of household water insecurity globally. In this paper, I examine how expected uncertainties in access and quality, as well as and cultural dimensions shape experiences of household water insecurity in a remote Alaska Native community detrimentally affected by climate change. I use ethnographic and quantitative data from Niugtaq (Newtok), Alaska, as a case study to explore how household water security is affected by sudden changes in water access and quality, water sources, and cultural dynamics. Under normal conditions, the community uses an average of 7.2 l per capita per day (lpcd, 1.9 Gal/c/d) of water from the central facility. However, individual households reported great variation in their water use patterns, from 1.1 to 16.2 l/c/d (0.3 to 4.23 Gal/c/d). The primary factors affecting per capita treated water consumption are those that affect reliable access to an improved water source throughout the year. Household consumption of natural sources is a strategy to increase water access, and reflects how concerns about quality and safety of treated water that are part of the water insecurity experience. At the same time, consumption of natural sources reflects their cultural importance. This case study suggests that providing reliable access at least one improved water source, and incorporating trusted (traditional) water sources into improved water source development may be an effective approach to improving household water security in Indigenous communities affected by climate change.

Direct and indirect effects of regional and local climatic factors on trophic interactions in the Arctic tundra

Climate change can impact ecosystems by reshaping the dynamics of resource exploitation for predators and their prey. Alterations of these pathways could be especially intense in ecosystems characterized by a simple trophic structure and rapid warming trends, such as in the Arctic. However, quantifying the multiple direct and indirect pathways through which climate change is likely to alter trophic interactions and their relative strength remains a challenge. Here, we aim to identify direct and indirect causal mechanisms driven by climate affecting predator-prey interactions of species sharing a tundra food web. We based our study on relationships between one Arctic predator (Arctic fox) and its two main prey - lemmings (preferred prey) and snow geese (alternate prey) - which are exposed to variable local and regional climatic factors across years. We used a combination of models mapping multiple causal links among key variables derived from a long-term dataset (21years). We obtained several possible scenarios linking regional climate factors (Arctic oscillations) and local temperature and precipitation to the breeding of species. Our results suggest that both regional and local climate factors have direct and indirect impacts on the breeding of foxes and geese. Local climate showed a positive causal link with goose nesting success, while both regional and local climate displayed contrasted effects on the proportion of fox breeding. We found no impact of climate on lemming abundance. We observed positive relationships between lemming, fox and goose reproduction highlighting numerical and functional responses of fox to the variability of lemming abundance. Our study measures causal links and strength of interactions in a food web, quantifying both numerical response of a predator and apparent interactions between its two main prey. These results improve our understanding of the complex effects of climate on predator-prey interactions and our capacity to anticipate food web response to ongoing climate change.

Developing a national research agenda to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and increase safe water access and consumption among 0- to 5-year-olds: a mixed methods approach.

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in early childhood is a public health concern. Adequate hydration in early childhood is also important. We developed a national research agenda to improve beverage consumption patterns among 0-5-year-olds. This article focuses on the process used to develop this research agenda. A mixed methods, multi-step process was used to develop the research agenda, including: (i) a scientific advisory committee; (ii) systematic reviews on strategies to reduce SSB consumption and increase water access and consumption; (iii) two stakeholder surveys to first identify and then rank strategies to reduce SSB consumption and increase water access and consumption; (iv) key informant interviews to better understand determinants of beverage consumption and strategies to improve beverage consumption patterns among high-risk groups; (v) an in-person convening with experts; and (vi) developing the final research agenda. This process included research and stakeholders from across the United States. A total of 276 participants completed survey 1 and 182 participants completed survey 2. Key informant interviews were conducted with 12 stakeholders. Thirty experts attended the convening, representing academia, government, and non-profit sectors. Thirteen key issue areas and 59 research questions were developed. Priority topics were beverage consumption recommendations, fruit-flavoured drink consumption, interventions tailored to high-risk groups, and family engagement in childcare. This research agenda lays the groundwork for research efforts to improve beverage patterns of young children. The methods used can be a template to develop research agendas for other public health issues.

A systematic review of strategies to increase drinking-water access and consumption among 0- to 5-year-olds.

The objective of this study is to identify promising strategies for improving drinking-water access and consumption among children aged 0 to 5years. MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, ERIC, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched in this review. Studies included peer-reviewed, full-text studies from high-income countries, published in English between January 1, 2000, and January 12, 2018, that evaluated interventions to increase water access or consumption in children aged 0 to 5years. Twenty-five studies met inclusion criteria; 19 used an effective intervention strategy to increase water access or water consumption. Three studies addressed both water access and consumption. Frequently used strategies included policy and practice changes, increasing water access and convenience, and education, training, or social support for caregivers. Studies were of fair methodological quality (average score: 18.8 of 26) for randomized studies and of moderate quality (5.1 of 9) for non-randomized studies. To date, few high-quality studies with objectively measured outcomes have clearly demonstrated strategies that may influence water intake and consumption among young children aged 0 to 5years.

Enhancing soil physical quality and cotton yields through diversification of agricultural practices in central Brazil

AbstractBrazil plays an important role in the global agricultural production, making Brazilian productive land use and management a critical issue. This study tested the hypothesis that soil physical quality (SPQ) of the Cerrado biome in central Brazil depends on appropriate crop rotation and tillage practices in cotton (Gossypium hyrsutum [L.])‐based cropping systems and is critical to achieve optimal cotton yields (COT). SPQ of an Oxisol was accessed for layers of 0.0–0.1, 0.1–0.2, and 0.2–0.4 m under conventional tillage (CT) and no‐tillage (NT) systems, in different farming systems, such as cotton monoculture, crop succession, and crop rotation in central Brazil. Variables studied were soil bulk density, total porosity, air permeability, pore continuity index, water content at field capacity, relative saturation at field capacity, the least limiting water range (LLWR), and COT. Soil sampling was performed in 2014, and COT was obtained in the 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons. Conservationist practices, such as crop diversity and absence of soil tillage, improved water availability, enlarged the LLWR, and indicated that brachiaria cultivation positively influences the SPQ, whereas continuous soil tillage and less crop diversity adversely affected SPQ. COT was positively influenced by SPQ aspects regarding the increased water access in the 0.2–0.4 m layer of NT and in the 0.0–0.1 m of CT management. Differences in SPQ, as indicated by the LLWR, were reflected in differences in COT, as well as in soil air permeability in the CT treatments for the 2014 cropping season. Other SPQ variables had no relation to COT.

A randomized trial of a multi-level intervention to increase water access and appeal in community recreation centers

IntroductionImproving children's tap water intake and reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is beneficial for health and health equity, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color. Existing community level interventions to improve the intake of tap water have predominantly occurred in schools and have focused on promoting water consumption in cafeterias during lunch or snack periods. MethodsThe “Hydrate Philly” intervention was developed to target multiple environmental and social factors to improve tap water consumption in community recreation centers in low-income communities: replacing old and unappealing water fountains with appealing water-bottle-filling “hydration stations”, conducting water safety testing and publicizing results, disseminating reusable water bottles, promoting tap water, and discouraging SSB consumption. Efficacy of the intervention will be tested through a group-randomized controlled trial (n = 28 centers) of the intervention's impact on center-level water fountain/station use as measured by flow meters during a youth summer camp program primarily for children aged 6–12 years. Intervention impact on the primary outcome (use of drinking water sources) will be examined with a difference-in-differences approach using an ordinary least squares regression model for analysis at the center level. Secondary outcomes include SSBs brought to summer camp, reusable and single-use bottled water use, program trash, and recreation center staff SSB consumption. DiscussionMultilevel approaches are needed to increase tap water intake and decrease SSB consumption among low-income and minority youth beyond school and meal settings. The current study describes the Hydrate Philly intervention, the study design, and baseline characteristics of recreation centers participating in the study.ClinicalTrials.gov Registration: #NCT03637465

Strategies to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and increase water access and intake among young children: perspectives from expert stakeholders.

To summarize stakeholder recommendations and ratings of strategies to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and increase water access and intake among young children (0-5 years). Two online surveys: survey 1 asked respondents to recommend novel and innovative strategies to promote healthy beverage behaviour; survey 2 asked respondents to rank each of these strategies on five domains (overall importance, feasibility, effectiveness, reach, health equity). Open-ended questions were coded and analysed for thematic content. Using a snowball sampling approach, respondents were invited to complete the survey through an email invitation or an anonymous listserv link. Of the individuals who received a private email invitation, 24 % completed survey 1 and 29 % completed survey 2. Survey 1 (n 276) and survey 2 (n 182) included expert stakeholders who work on issues related to SSB and water consumption. Six overarching strategies emerged to change beverage consumption behaviours (survey 1): education; campaigns and contests; marketing and advertising; price changes; physical access; and improving the capacity of settings to promote healthy beverages. Labelling and sugar reduction (e.g. reformulation) were recommended as strategies to reduce SSB consumption, while water testing and remediation emerged as a strategy to promote water intake. Stakeholders most frequently recommended (survey 1) and provided higher ratings (survey 2) to strategies that used policy, systems and/or environmental changes. The present study is the first to assess stakeholder opinions on strategies to promote healthy beverage consumption. This knowledge is key for understanding where stakeholders believe resources can be best utilized.

Water and Indigenous rights: Mechanisms and pathways of recognition, representation, and redistribution

Indigenous water rights contests take many forms, manifesting in conflict over water resource development, exclusion from decision‐making, marginalization in regional political economies and opposition to environmental degradation. A growing number of institutional options are available to recognize Indigenous water rights and a diversity of approaches is being taken by governments, courts of law, Indigenous peoples and others in response to historical and contemporary inequities and discrimination in patterns of distribution and participation in the institutions of water governance. Although not the only arena, political action directed towards change in state‐based institutions is a principal focus for Indigenous peoples engaged in water struggles. This article reviews the literature on Indigenous water rights in national frameworks of water governance from a range of disciplines. It describes the leading approaches to recognition, representation, and redistribution that exist under the domestic arrangements of nation‐states to recognize localized norms and rules of water use and custodianship, as well as Indigenous forms of political organization. These include statutory mechanisms to increase water access, treaties and settlements, constitutional protections for collective rights, self‐organized or internal governance models, market‐based approaches and moves in law to recognize reciprocal relationships to water and legitimize custodianship of rivers. Rather than take recognition for granted as an essential condition of or ideal end‐point to Indigenous water rights struggles, the paper critically reflects on the multi‐faceted dimensions of this ambivalent concept, revealing the opportunities as well as tensions and dilemmas in the leading approaches to addressing Indigenous water rights claims.This article is categorized under: Human Water &gt; Rights to Water Human Water &gt; Water Governance

Are urban informal communities capable of co-production? The influence of community–public partnerships on water access in Lilongwe, Malawi

The failure of the conventional public and private (market-based) water policies to improve urban water access in the global South has prompted growing interest in alternative models such as community–state co-production. However, there is little evidence of whether co-production can improve water service delivery in the informal settlements of sub-Saharan Africa where a disproportionately high percentage of the urban poor lives. This paper uses household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus groups to examine the impact of co-production on household water access and service delivery in the informal settlements of Lilongwe, Malawi. Co-production increased water accessibility, reduced the cost of water, increased the number of community water kiosks, and resulted in more effective financial management and accountability. However, challenges related to poor infrastructure and limited community capacity threaten the long-term sustainability of the co-production model. Urban informal residents lamented worsening water-supply interruptions and longer waiting times after co-production, challenges that require state intervention.