The Invisible Water Crisis and Its Impact on Children: Research Unites Puerto Rico and Navajo Nation
By: Carla Rosas, Evaluator at Instituto Nueva Escuela
As part of its commitment to community-based research in Puerto Rico, the Evaluation and Research Unit of the Instituto Nueva Escuela (INE) has once again partnered with the Diet Disparities Lab at George Washington University to study a problem affecting both Puerto Rico and the Navajo Nation: reliable access to drinking water and its direct impact on the health of thousands of families.
In many households, when tap water does not taste good or is not perceived as safe, the immediate solution is often to turn to sugary drinks. Although they are accessible and inexpensive, frequent consumption is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions that disproportionately affect low-income communities.
A Problem Worsened by Climate
Recent literature has shown that climate change is intensifying droughts, damaging infrastructure, and contaminating water sources. These challenges were already persistent in both Puerto Rico and the Navajo Nation, but recent disasters—such as hurricanes and other natural events—have further highlighted the vulnerability of communities regarding access to water as a key element of public health.
After Hurricane María, thousands of families were affected by interruptions in potable water service and concerns about water quality. In Navajo Nation, the lack of infrastructure has forced many families to rely on cisterns or to transport water across long distances—an ongoing struggle for thousands of households.
Given this reality, populations—especially children—end up consuming more processed beverages and less water, worsening health problems.
The Research Project We Are Part Of
The study, titled “Nexus of water intake, water security and climate resilience,” proposes a participatory approach in which the community becomes an active part of the scientific process and an essential source of data to inform the development of solutions. The research team will work directly with families, educators, and community leaders to understand how people make decisions about what to drink and how climate stress influences those choices.
The plan is divided into three main components:
Listening to the Community
In the Navajo Nation, researchers will organize collaborative gatherings where residents themselves will share the root causes of water insecurity and the consumption of sugary beverages. Their experiences and knowledge will guide the identification of potential solutions.Data Collection in Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, the team will survey 200 families with young children to learn about their consumption habits, experiences accessing water, and climate-related concerns. These data will help design interventions that truly respond to local needs.Creating Models to Project Solutions
Using systems dynamics tools, researchers will simulate different scenarios to explore questions such as:
What would happen if filters were installed in schools?
If aqueduct infrastructure were improved?
If educational campaigns about safe water were launched?
More than documenting a problem, the goal is to develop a large-scale, culturally relevant, and sustainable intervention that can be implemented in both Puerto Rico and the Navajo Nation. This project aims not only to describe the issue but also to create practical solutions that can improve the health of children and families, reduce dependence on sugary drinks, and strengthen community resilience in the face of climate challenges.
“Collaboration with George Washington University and other institutions allows INE staff to gain new academic experiences while positioning us as a comprehensive, far-reaching research center,” Rosas shared.
At INE, we continue building alliances and collaborations that allow us to serve children, youth, families, and communities from within the school environment. Serving well extends beyond academics—it includes physical and emotional health, environmental wellbeing, nutrition, and everything that impacts child and youth development.