Are we sending mixed messages to remote indigenous communities? Water for healthy living versus water conservation

摘要

< Significant expenditure on water services to Indigenous communities in Australia has led to above average water use in areas where surface water is minimal and aquifers variable. In some parts supplies are not sustainable beyond a decade. Given these and climate change constraints there is a need for efficient use of water. Thus the authors were tasked with designing a conservation strategy suitable for such communities. One aim of the study was to document residents' water conservation behaviours. However, there is a significant gap between the health of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians; life expectancy is 17 years less for Indigenous people. Infant mortality is 12 deaths/1000 live births in the Indigenous population compared to 4 deaths in the non-Indigenous population. Water-washed diseases are disproportionately high, with Australia the only developed country still to have blinding trachoma. Given this health context a second aim of the study was to assess whether water consumption in two remote Indigenous communities in South Australia was adequate for healthy living. Water conservation data were obtained via focus groups in 2011; actual consumption data for a 5-year period were obtained from the service provider. The work of Nganampa Health Council (1987) and Pholeros et al. (1997) were used to benchmark the water requirements for healthy living. Adapting their figures to account for housing occupancy yielded a range of 101-456 litres/person/day. Water use in Mimili was above the minimum level required for healthy living but did not exceed the maximum amount. The higher water use occurred during summer. In Amata water use was high (470-616 litres) during summer but for the remainder of the year was ＜453 litres/person/day. Given the vulnerability of water resources there is a need for conservation programmes but it is important that they do not undermine the health improvements made in the last decade.