The human right to water: From theories of global neocolonial commodification, to low -cost, low-tech and participatory alternative practice in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia

Present understanding and analysis concerning inequities in access to, and distribution of, safe drinking water are inadequate. This is in great part because such thought is too often bounded by the internal logic of the greater capitalist system. What is necessary to better understand and act upon such inequities is a change in frame to one based upon “human rights.”;This shift in frames is the key to addressing concerns that are systematically streamlined out of utilitarian economic analysis in theory—and especially in practice. Such a shift should be informed by critical thought that provides an opportunity to deconstruct and confront the inherent contradictions and inequities that accompany our increasingly commodity-based and dominant lens regarding drinking water. This change in frames is an urgent matter, as neoliberal values such as those expressed in free trade agreements are rapidly widening the already massive gulf between rich and poor in terms of access to water. In addition, policies based on such values are systematically excluding vulnerable populations from coverage. This manuscript examines the underlying causes of this growing schism. In addition, the inequities resulting from the globalization of commodity and “investor-based,” rather than “human rights-based,” policies regarding water are illustrated.;The manuscript identifies theoretical contributions upon which to build a foundation of safe drinking water as a “human right,” and seeks ways to redirect action and analysis so that it will reflect a more equitable and humane set of ethics, assumptions, principles and objectives. The researcher's alternative model for operationalizing such principles utilizing geographic techniques, low tech and low cost approaches, and environmental education in less-wealthy rural basins in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) facilitates learning “on the ground,” and leads to a return to the global scale to reflect upon lessons learned.;Field research is conducted by the “Micronesian Source Water Protection Coalition,” which includes the author, the Chuuk State, FSM Environmental Protection Agency, The Nature Conservancy and civil society. The outreach page for the research contains the full dissertation, environmental education posters, maps, geographic information systems data and other important data and information: http://www.philippinefamily.net/fsmswpp.html.