Les inégalités environnementales d’accès à l’eau en espace rural : défauts de gouvernance de la ressource ou problématique de justice spatiale ? Le cas de l’axe Gorom Lampsar (delta du fleuve Sénégal)

Abstract

While access to clean drinking water is deemed a fundamental human right, it remains a challenge for the most marginalized communities, who are compelled to navigate through a myriad of socio-economic and environmental pressures. These challenges include trade-offs in resource allocation, disparities in infrastructure, commercialization of water services, degradation of aquatic ecosystems, and the adverse effects of global climate change.Drawing from empirical research conducted in Senegal, this article delves into the intricate interplay between spatial justice and environmental disparities, shedding light on how social factors intertwine with the quality of living conditions and access to water services. The allocation of water resources, both spatially and temporally, is intricately linked to governance mechanisms and the differential treatment of various regions and demographics. The case of the Saint-Louis region in Senegal serves as a poignant example, highlighting historical injustices such as water shortages and pollution that disproportionately affected indigenous communities during the colonial era and continue to impact rural populations today. Despite efforts to address these challenges through reforms in management practices transitioning from community-based initiatives to recent delegation to private entities significant barriers persist. Access to water resources remains constrained by inadequate supply, prohibitive costs associated with centralized water systems, and persistent organizational inefficiencies.

Keywords

• environmental inequalities
• spatial injustices
• access to drinking water
• colonial era
• political challenge
• Saint-Louis of Senegal