Assessment of Water Shortage in Rural Communities in the Surroundings of Integral Protection Conservation Units: Water Poverty Index in the João Batista Soares Settlement, Jurubatiba National Park, RJ, Brazil

Abstract

Low quality and quantity of water have health impacts, and affects the environment, as well as the ability of ecosystems to provide ecosystem services. Especially in rural areas, water with appropriate quality, available at the right time is required to meet basic needs and to improve the productivity of land and labor. The Water Poverty Index (WPI) is able to assess whether individuals possess this natural resource in satisfactory quantity and quality, for both household and community use. This work focuses on the application of WPI in João Batista Soares Agrarian Reform Settlement, Carapebus, Brazil. The settlement has environmental problems such as degraded soil, lack of vegetation, and it is considered environmentally vulnerable. Through the application of the WPI, we conclude that the settlement also has water shortage, as the index result was 42.5%, a rate which reflects water insecurity. The water shortage of the settlers affects their production, earning income and quality of life. We believe that access to the settler’s rights to funding and grant can alleviate water shortage and minimize the environmental vulnerability faced by these individuals.