Communities of water practice in an informal settlement in Agra, India

Abstract

This study explores household water practices and their sustainability in an informal settlement in Agra, India, where water scarcity is intensified by unreliable municipal supply, contaminated groundwater and limited harvested rainwater. Using an ethnomethodological approach, Membership Categorisation Analysis, the research investigates how households collect water daily from different sources and engage in a variety of water use activities, forming informal communities of water practice. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 35 households, site observations and discussions with NGO staff. Findings reveal that most households rely on multiple water sources for different water needs. Groundwater is the most widely used water, whereas municipal piped supply remains marginal. Harvested rainwater is a new initiative, led by community and has proved beneficial, socially and environmentally, aligning with SDG-6 goals. The study identifies four communities of water practice – happy, satisfied, coping and suffering – based on household agency and identity. The research advocates for water citizenship to foster inclusive, sustainable practices and calls for further exploration of shifts in water sources that may have occurred over long period of time, and integration of wastewater practices into sustainable resource management frameworks.