Water Conflicts: Environmental Justice Cases from California and New Orleans

This is a brief discussion of two examples of conflicts over water distribution, participation and recognition at the local level in California and New Orleans, United States of America.

1. California Case

This was about lack of clean water in Central Valley, California (CA). It’s a case type of water management, access rights and entitlements. Poor communities bore the cost of water pollution from fertilizers and agricultural pesticides and yet they paid the highest drinking water rates in the state. Their access to bottled water was weekly, and came at a cost, as they found such water 30 to 50 miles away. This posed various environmental, health and socio-economic impacts.

Environmental justice organisations and other supporters played a crucial role in mobilising community members against the situation. Sundry mobilisation forms were employed: development of a network, collective action, public campaigns and street protests. The outcome was that a relevant new legislation was enacted and participation of community members in decision making processes was strengthened. There was also development of alternatives where, for instance, State tax on fertilizers was put in place to fund clean drinking water programs in the area. With all such strides, some communities still lack access to clean, safe and affordable water despite the passing of a bill ensuring the human right to water in CA.

2. New Orleans Case

This was about movements against the privatisation of water in semi-urban New Orleans. In a bid to address sewer system problems, the city authorities proposed water privatization as a solution to raise funds to support the project. Public opposition to this proposal grew and stopped the deal before it ever began. A community coalition of 90 organizations formed, including churches, civic groups, senior organizations and environmental groups. Some organisations played key roles in building community power. Impacts of the privatisation decision would be environmental and socio-economic.

Methods used included car caravans, lawn signs, door-to-door education and rallies. The Urban Conservancy provided an analysis of privatization for the city of New Orleans and concluded that privatization of the city’s water services was not in the best interest of the citizens of New Orleans. Possibly the most influential achievement of community activism was the organization of a local referendum that gave voters the power to approve or reject any privatization contract worth more than $5 million. This represented a landmark victory for citizens of New Orleans.

One study that was done on the effects of water privatization on cities across the nation showed that many jobs are lost and it was expected that only half of the currently employed would retain their jobs after privatization. Mobilization forms included: development of a network/collective action, lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism, referendum and other local consultations, street protests, car caravans, lawn signs, door-to-door education and rallies. 

The outcome was that the project was cancelled. People came together quickly and effectively to stop a privatization deal before it even began, thus protecting themselves, their water and their community rights.

Summary

The two cases above demonstrate ways in which social mobilisation around water justice has had a positive and transformative impact in local communities. Procedure, recognition and distribution justice dimensions are visible in both cases: absence of active and meaningful participation of surrounding communities in relevant decision making processes; lack of respect and consideration for affairs and priorities of others, and; unfair distribution of harms and benefits from crucial decisions respectively. When empowered, communities have the potential to successfully stand up for environmental justice.

#Environmental_Justice