Understanding everyday water experiences through flows: A feminist political ecology take on household metabolism.

The article focuses on a novel framework for analyzing household water dynamics through a metabolic perspective that integrates quantitative water flow accounting with qualitative insights from feminist political ecology. This framework considers attributes such as water source, price, continuity, pressure, consumer trust, organoleptic qualities, and household practices to reveal how urban water supply changes—particularly the introduction of desalinated water—affect water security and inequalities at the household level. Applied to Antofagasta, Chile, a desert city where desalinated seawater partially replaces freshwater, the study finds widespread distrust of tap water sources due to historical contamination and perceived quality issues, leading to heavy reliance on costly bottled water and increased water poverty, especially among lower-income households. The findings highlight that water security policies must address not only supply volume but also affordability, quality perceptions, and socio-economic disparities to ensure equitable access to safe drinking water.