In the arid landscapes of the US–Mexico borderlands, a silent crisis persists—one that often goes unnoticed amidst broader discussions of poverty and infrastructure. Plumbing poverty, defined as the lack of complete plumbing facilities within a household, remains a pervasive issue affecting thousands of residents along this critical geopolitical boundary. Despite being in one of the world’s wealthiest nations, pockets of the American Southwest struggle with basic sanitation access, a problem with far-reaching implications for public health, dignity, and economic opportunity. A groundbreaking study sheds new light on this persistent disparity, leveraging unprecedented individual- and household-level data to unpack the social inequalities rooted deep within these communities.
Traditional research efforts examining plumbing poverty have been hindered by data constraints such as reliance on aggregated area-level statistics or limited sample sizes, restricting the ability to discern nuanced social patterns. The recent study, conducted by Rubio, Grineski, Collins, and their colleagues, overcomes these obstacles by employing restricted microdata from the American Community Survey (ACS), spanning 2015 to 2019. This approach allows for granular analysis down to the household and individual levels—crucial for identifying demographic heterogeneity and the intersecting factors that contribute to incomplete plumbing. The dataset encompasses approximately 145,500 records from the borderlands, providing an unprecedented lens on the lived realities of these communities.
The researchers meticulously matched these ACS microdata with precise geographical identifiers, enabling the assignment of households both within and outside boundaries of community water systems as well as delineating those located in colonias, the informal peri-urban settlements that dot the border region. Colonias are often characterized by substandard housing, lack of infrastructure, and marginalization, making them hotbeds for infrastructural deprivation, including deficits in plumbing facilities. However, the study reveals complex patterns that challenge assumptions, particularly regarding where inequalities are most pronounced.
Their analysis employed multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models, a sophisticated statistical technique adept at handling nested data structures and accounting for variability at multiple levels—both within households and across communities. The findings are stark yet illuminating. Approximately 0.5 percent of households in the borderlands were found to have incomplete plumbing facilities. While this percentage may appear small, its significance is magnified given the scale of the population and the essential nature of plumbing to health and quality of life.
Delving deeper, the study identifies acute social disparities tied to plumbing poverty. Households devoid of any non-Latinx white members demonstrated higher odds of lacking complete plumbing, illustrating entrenched racial and ethnic inequities in access to basic infrastructure. Furthermore, households entirely composed of foreign-born, non-citizen members faced disproportionately greater risks of incomplete plumbing—a reflection of broader systemic vulnerabilities linked to immigration status and social exclusion.
Language proficiency emerged as another potent factor. Households where English is not spoken proficiently were considerably more susceptible to incomplete plumbing conditions. This highlights the intersection of linguistic marginalization with infrastructural deficits and suggests that barriers such as limited access to governmental services or information may exacerbate these inequalities.
Notably, the study also finds correlations between incomplete plumbing and household disability status, as well as working-age demographics, poverty status, and home ownership. Households with disabled members and those in economically precarious situations were more vulnerable, while home ownership appeared paradoxically related—not necessarily conferring protection against incomplete plumbing. These overlapping dimensions underscore the multifaceted nature of plumbing poverty, implicating economic, social, and health-related determinants.
Contrary to common perceptions, the researchers discovered that inequalities in plumbing completeness were more pronounced outside the recognized colonias than within them. This counterintuitive pattern suggests that infrastructural deficits are not confined to informal settlements alone but are dispersed throughout the borderlands—including in officially recognized communities. Such findings expand the scope of intervention needed to eradicate plumbing poverty and demand more nuanced policy designs that transcend simplistic geographic categorizations.
The implications of these insights are profound. Water and sanitation are foundational to public health, particularly in the harsh environments characteristic of the US borderlands, where extreme heat and aridity compound risks associated with inadequate plumbing. The authors stress that plumbing poverty is not merely an infrastructural flaw but a manifestation of broader social injustices that perpetuate health disparities and hinder community development.
Climate change and increased migration dynamics further complicate the scenario, placing greater stress on already fragile water infrastructures. As water scarcity intensifies, households lacking full plumbing face heightened vulnerability, including hygiene-related illnesses and economic burdens stemming from alternative unsafe water-use practices. The study implicitly calls for integrated approaches linking infrastructure investment with social equity and environmental sustainability.
Methodologically, the reliance on the ACS restricted microdata represents a significant advance for researchers and policymakers alike. By moving beyond aggregate metrics to micro-level analysis, the study provides actionable intelligence that can inform targeted interventions. In particular, it identifies at-risk groups based on precise demographic characteristics and spatial data, thus enabling resource prioritization that can maximize impact in reducing plumbing poverty.
This research also shines light on the importance of recognizing intra-household demographic heterogeneity—a rarely examined dimension in infrastructure inequality studies. The demographic composition within households, including citizenship status, ethnicity, and language proficiency, shapes access to plumbing in ways that aggregate data can obscure. This granular perspective is especially vital in border regions where population mobility and diversity defy simplistic classifications.
Policy implications stemming from the study emphasize the necessity for collaborative efforts that cut across jurisdictions, sectors, and community organizations. Investments must be made not only in physical infrastructure but also in addressing the social determinants that underlie plumbing incompleteness. This includes enhancing language-accessible services, legal support for immigrant families, and inclusive housing programs that ensure infrastructural upgrades reach marginalized populations.
Innovative community engagement strategies will be essential to identify local challenges and co-create solutions that resonate culturally and logistically. The research underscores that a one-size-fits-all model is inadequate—tailored approaches sensitive to the unique contexts of colonias, officially recognized neighborhoods, and dispersed rural settlements alike are crucial.
Looking forward, ongoing monitoring using microdata and fine-scale geographic identifiers will be imperative to evaluate progress and adapt strategies dynamically. The methodology exemplified in this study sets a precedent for future inquiries into utility access and infrastructural equity across diverse regions beyond the borderlands.
Ultimately, this comprehensive investigation reaffirms that plumbing poverty is a multidimensional issue embedded within broader frameworks of social, economic, and spatial inequality. Its persistence in the US–Mexico borderlands signals both systemic failures and opportunities for transformative change. As national and local stakeholders mobilize to address infrastructure deficits, incorporating nuanced, data-driven insights will be key to fostering equitable improvements in living conditions and health outcomes for all residents.
The research by Rubio and colleagues stands as a clarion call to confront the invisible yet impactful crisis of plumbing poverty. By employing cutting-edge data techniques and disciplined analysis, the study illuminates pathways toward more just and effective interventions, ensuring that basic human needs—such as clean water and sanitation—are universally met, regardless of geographic or demographic boundaries.
Subject of Research: Micro-level social inequalities related to incomplete plumbing facilities in US–Mexico borderlands households.
Article Title: Micro-level inequalities in plumbing completeness along the US–Mexico borderlands.
Article References:
Rubio, R., Grineski, S.E., Collins, T.W. et al. Micro-level inequalities in plumbing completeness along the US–Mexico borderlands.
Nat Water (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-025-00463-2
Image Credits: AI Generated
