Grantee Research Project Results
Septic to Sewer? Justice-focused strategies for addressing coastal septic failures under sea-level rise and increased flooding
EPA Grant Number: R840477Title: Septic to Sewer? Justice-focused strategies for addressing coastal septic failures under sea-level rise and increased flooding
Investigators: Reilly, Allison , Ferreira, Celso , Goldstein, Rachel Rosenberg , Kjellerup, Birthe , Lazur, Andrew , Liao, Yanjun Penny , Prettyman, Vikki , Walls, Margaret
Current Investigators: Reilly, Allison , Walls, Margaret , Ferreira, Celso , Goldstein, Rachel Rosenberg , Kjellerup, Birthe , Liao, Yanjun Penny
Institution: University of Maryland - College Park , George Mason University , University of Maryland Research Centers , Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc , Resources for the Future
Current Institution: University of Maryland - College Park , George Mason University , University of Maryland Research Centers , Resources for the Future
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2022 through May 12, 2025
Project Amount: $1,350,000
RFA: Cumulative Health Impacts at the Intersection of Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Vulnerable Populations/Lifestages: Community-Based Research for Solutions (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors , Environmental Justice , Human Health , Watersheds
Objective:
Many rural coastal communities are on the front lines of climate change. One concern is septic tank failures and how increased flooding and sea-level rise will cause septic systems to fail, both mechanistically and in terms of degraded nutrient and pathogen removal. This can and has led to more gastrointestinal illness and parasitic infections, and lower property values. This is acutely problematic in areas with higher proportions of people of color. People of color are more likely to reside on flood-prone land and historically have been less likely to be connected to municipal sewer systems. Sewer systems, while expensive in rural areas, can improve health outcomes and often increase home values. In this work, we will conduct an interdisciplinary empirical examination of these problems to understand how technology and novel policy interventions may reduce the risk of septic system failures due to sea-level rise now and in the future. We will explicitly include the antecedent conditions (including historical settlement patterns and exclusion from municipal sewers), that potentially exacerbate this exposure.
Approach:
In collaboration with our community partner, SERCAP, this project will collect primary data on septic health in the Eastern Shore of Maryland and will leverage a myriad of secondary data and empirical models to develop a composite risk. This includes developing detailed flood models, understanding how saltwater impacts the transformation of nutrients and bacterial diversity using soil core samples, and an econometric evaluation of public sewer access.
Expected Results:
Ultimately, by using empirical data and community input, we will evaluate where and how specific policy and technology solutions can address the compounded risk, while ensuring the benefits accrue in a way that addresses past discriminatory practices. Our partnership with SERCAP will ensure that the study methods and results will be relevant for State and local decision-makers and local residents. While research will geographically focus on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the results and insights are expected to be transferable to the numerous rural coastal communities using septic systems and threatened by sea-level rise.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 7 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
risk assessment, sensitive populations, race, pathogens, public policy, socioeconomic, Chesapeake BayProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.