Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: Point Of Use (POU) Water Treatment Systems For Improving Sustainability And Environmental Justice in Colonias of the Paso del Norte Region

EPA Grant Number: R835179
Title: Point Of Use (POU) Water Treatment Systems For Improving Sustainability And Environmental Justice in Colonias of the Paso del Norte Region
Investigators: Walker, W. Shane , Palacios, Rebecca L. , Santiago, Ivonne , Tomaka, Joe , Walton, John
Institution: The University of Texas at El Paso , New Mexico State University - Main Campus
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Project Period: December 1, 2011 through November 30, 2016
Project Amount: $498,906
RFA: Research and Demonstration of Innovative Drinking Water Treatment Technologies in Small Systems (2011) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water

Objective:

The objectives of this project were to: perform community-based participatory research (CBPR) through water and point of use (POU) perception and use inventory surveys of residents of colonias of the Paso del Norte region; review and test POU systems for specific water contaminants of these colonias; implement select POU systems in homes throughout colonias; and evaluate the sustainability of the use of POU technologies with respect to environmental, social/user, and economic metrics.

Colonias are unincorporated settlements along the U.S.-Mexico border that emerged without the governance and public infrastructure normally provided by local government. Consequently, water lines and systems do not reach all colonia residents, and even when they do reach, many residents live in substandard housing that does not meet county building codes and, therefore, may not qualify for connection to public water. Alternative water sources for these colonia households include water wells and hauled water stored in tanks.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

This was an exciting interdisciplinary research project that leveraged expertise from environmental engineering and public health to understand colonia residents’ needs and perspectives and provide sustainable drinking water treatment solutions. In Phase 1, we conducted interactive focus group studies and surveys throughout the Paso del Norte region to understand residents’ perception of their own water supply and water quality situations, as well as to understand their preferences with respect to POU drinking water treatment options. In Phase 2, we conducted a water quality sampling campaign from colonia residents, and we performed a thorough review and analysis of commercially available point of use options and compared them based on a five-factor sustainability matrix. The highest-ranking POUs were under-the-sink reverse osmosis (RO) systems, which were selected for the next phase. In Phase 3, we collaborated with colonia residents to help them install POU RO treatment systems under their kitchen sink, and in Phase 4, we conducted pre- and post-installation surveys, as well as post-installation water quality analyses to evaluate the success of the POU systems.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, the under-the-sink POU RO systems were effective at providing drinking water that meets EPA’s primary and secondary drinking water standards from either well water or hauled water sources. The colonia residents use the POUs, are confident in the water quality, and they save time and money compared to purchasing bottled water. This project has been a major success in concluding that POU RO systems are beneficial for colonia residents.

The research team will continue to synergize other onging research projects to extend implementation and analysis of POU RO systems in the colonias. The team will pursue research funding to assess the long-term health benefits of households that implemented POU RO treatment for drinking water. The team also will continue to advocate for colonia residents by collaborating with governmental agencies and non-profit organizations to improve drinking water supply in colonias.

Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views
Other project views:	All 10 publications	1 publications in selected types	All 1 journal articles

Publications
Type	Citation	Project	Document Sources
Journal Article	Garcia LB, Sobin C, Tomaka J, Santiago I, Palacios R, Walker WS. A comparison of water-related perceptions and practices among west Texas and south New Mexico colonia residents using hauled-stored and private well water. Journal of Environmental Health 2016;79(2):14-19.	R835179 (Final)	Abstract: NEHA-Abstract Exit

Supplemental Keywords:

drinking water; small systems; colonias; hauled water; groundwater; point of use treatment; membrane filtration

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

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.