Water conflicts: Exploring how stakeholder behaviours influence conflict (de-)escalation in practice

Social mobilisation to demand access to safe drinking water has led to increased water justice in many places across the world in recent years. Often, the impetus for change has relied on disempowered citizens taking action. In this study, we explored the experiences of residents (n = 22) in Aviemore (Scotland) who have been challenging the safety of their drinking water for over a decade. We also interviewed water company employees and drinking water regulator employees (n = 7) who were involved in the subsequent water quality investigations. Here we frame the events in Aviemore as a ‘water conflict’, which clarifies that movements for water justice involve multiple stakeholders all with capacity to act. We examined the relationship between behaviours adopted by different stakeholder groups and their consequences for conflict intensity (escalation/de-escalation). Using the Thomas-Kilmann conflict instrument to assign conflict behaviours to stakeholder actions, we found, as in other social movements for water justice, the progression and escalation of this conflict was mainly driven by the citizens taking some form of action. Furthermore, prolonged passive behaviours led to conflict escalation and conflict avoidance can lead to de-escalation, but not reconciliation. Here, we offer a new approach for evaluating water conflicts by assessing the relationship between stakeholder behaviours and conflict intensity. Using this approach, we propose that case-specific insights may be identified to support the prevention of, and intervention in, real-time conflict scenarios, as well as untangling the deeper structural and relational issues contributing to repeated conflict escalation to achieve constructive change. • Water injustices may be framed as a conflict to better understand opportunities for intervention. • Stakeholder behaviour in a conflict may impact conflict intensity and progression. • Early intervention may be important to prevent conflict progression. • Conflict behaviour may affect the success of mediation. • Conflict avoidance is not conducive to reconciliation.