Conflicting demands for food and water, exacerbated by increasing population, increase the risks of food insecurity, poverty and environmental damage in major river systems. Agriculture remains the predominant water user, but the linkage between water, agriculture and livelihoods is more complex than “water scarcity increases poverty”. The response of both agricultural and non-agricultural systems to increased pressure will affect livelihoods. Development will be constrained in closed basins if increased demand for irrigation deprives other users or if existing agricultural use constrains non-agricultural activities and in open basins if agriculture cannot feed an expanding or changing population or if the river system loses capacity due to degradation or over-exploitation.

Conflicting demands for food and water, exacerbated by increasing population, increase the risks of food insecurity, poverty and environmental damage in major river systems. Agriculture remains the predominant water user, but the linkage between water, agriculture and livelihoods is more complex than “water scarcity increases poverty”. The response of both agricultural and non-agricultural systems to increased pressure will affect livelihoods. Development will be constrained in closed basins if increased demand for irrigation deprives other users or if existing agricultural use constrains non-agricultural activities and in open basins if agriculture cannot feed an expanding or changing population or if the river system loses capacity due to degradation or over-exploitation.

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Describir las percepciones y prácticas relacionadas con el agua y sus usos por parte de habitantes de barrios sin cobertura de servicios públicos del municipio de Turbo, Antioquia, Colombia. Métodos: Investigación cualitativa abordada desde la etnografía enfocada. La información fue recolectada mediante entrevistas a habitantes de barrios informales y observación de actividades relacionadas con el agua. La información se codificó, se conformaron categorías empíricas y posteriormente analíticas. Resultados: Las familias han establecido una dinámica cotidiana para enfrentar el vivir sin agua, invirtiendo tiempo, dinero y esfuerzo y según sus percepciones y posibilidades, definen prácticas y usos para el agua con que cuentan. Las fuentes de agua disponibles son: acueducto, comprada o recolectada en otros barrios, considerada inadecuada para la alimentación; lluvia, valorada por su sabor y aparente calidad; agua comercial envasada, considerada apta para beber y cocinar pero más costosa. En momentos críticos de escasez se recurre a fuentes menos adecuadas. En medio de esta carencia, las prácticas alimentarias se modifican reemplazando preparaciones que requieren más agua y haciendo ajustes que limi tan lo que consideran una alimentación adecuada. Conclusiones: La carencia de agua afecta la seguridad alimentaria, la calidad de vida y el bienestar de las familias. Las prácticas relacionadas con el agua responden a las condiciones de vida; esto implica reconocer la articulación entre lo biológico y lo social. Se reafirma la importancia de concretar el derecho al agua y considerar en las acciones de política la mirada de quienes padecen esta carencia. | ABSTRACT: Objective: Describing water-related perceptions and practice and how slum dwellers lacking public service coverage in the town of Turbo in the Antioquia Department, Colombia, approach this. Methods: This study involved qualitative research from an ethnographic approach. Data was collected by means of interviews with slum dwellers and observing waterrelated activities. The information was encoded; empirical categories were initially constructed, followed by analytical ones. Results: The families had established daily dynamics for facing life without water, investing time, money and effort and, according to their perceptions and possibilities, defining practice and uses for the water which they had access to. The available water sources consisted of a piped water supply which had to be paid for or was collected from other neighborhoods (considered unsuitable for drinking), rain water (appreciated for its taste and alleged quality) and bought bottled water (considered suitable for drinking and cooking, but more expensive than the piped water). Less suitable water sources were resorted to at critical moments during shortage. Regarding such deficiency, feeding practice became modified by replacing preparations requiring more water and making adjustments, thereby limiting what could be considered as suitable feeding. Conclusions: The lack of water affected the target families’ food security, quality of life and welfare. Water-related practice corresponded to living conditions, meaning that biological and social aspects must be reconciled and recognized. The importance of the right to water and taking those suffering such deficiency in to consideration when making public health policy was thus highlighted. | COL0084935 | COL0000407