Assessing urban water access in African cities: a GIS clustering approach in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Access to safe drinking water remains a daily challenge for millions of urban residents around the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study provides a detailed assessment of inequalities in the realization of the human right to water in urban neighborhoods in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Clustering techniques combined with GIS analysis were used to map and assess access to water throughout the study area. The clustering results were compiled into a matrix assessing six key indicators: the physical availability of improved water sources; transport time; water quality; water quantity; reliability; and affordability. More than 500 household surveys were conducted and over 200 water points were sampled for this work. The results indicate that access to water is severely limited by poor quality, insufficient quantity and an unreliable supply. Below 3% of households meet the standard for safely managed drinking water, and less than 22% have at least basic access, which contrasts sharply with official statistics. Considering these results in the context of current literature highlights the importance of taking all relevant factors into account when making reliable estimates of water access. Current rates of access to this resource tend to be significantly lower than reported, and despite global progress, humanity is still far from fulfilling the fundamental human right to water. These findings emphasise the urgent need for targeted interventions to address inequalities and enhance the water supply in urban areas.