As part of the Water Institute's WaterTalks lecture series, Dr. Anaís Delilah Roque, John Hope Franklin Assistant Professor of Environmental Justice, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, will present Beyond the Storm: Water Insecurity and Community Resilience in Puerto Rico.
This event is in person in DC 1302 with a networking lunch reception to
follow in DC 1301 (The Fishbowl).
Natural hazards and disasters can cause an array of water-related problems. In the wake of these events, when there is significant state negligence, residents and community leaders often become the first responders to secure essential resources, such as water. In this presentation, I examine household responses to water insecurity and community-based water governance in Puerto Rico after Hurricane María. Here, I focus on both residents’ experiences and how community-managed aqueduct systems restored water access amid severe disruptions. Using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, participant observations, and interviews with residents, community water managers, and water decision makers, the findings emphasize the importance of incorporating culturally relevant strategies and community governance into broader efforts for water security and resilience in disaster-prone areas. The findings of this research emphasize pathways to operationalize resilience and improve community well-being for future events.