Exploring water security and water demand determinants in rural areas. The case of canton Cotacachi in Ecuador

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research on the factors that influence drinking-water security and the relationship between this and the determinants of rural water-demand. Based on qualitative data collected in sub-tropical and Andean communities of canton Cotacachi, a region in the North–East part of Ecuador, it suggests that water insecurity emerges from socio-economic and environmental particular sub-regional characteristics. These have also an influence on peoples’ perceptions of drinking-water security and the determinants of water demand. The study shows how the generalisation of the factors that influence water security to all areas of an administrative region, like a municipality, or a supposedly geographically homogenous area, like “the Andes” or “the subtropics”, is not appropriate and the application of “one-size fits all” policies can be counterproductive. Instead the management of water provision would need to be tailored to the particular social and environmental territorial characteristics taking into account the specific perceptions of population groups regarding water security and the possibilities of their water systems to respond to water demand.