Grantee Research Project Results
Community-based Research to Address Cumulative Health Effects of Drought on Rural Communities Who Operate Drinking Water Aqueducts in Puerto Rico
EPA Grant Number: R840476Title: Community-based Research to Address Cumulative Health Effects of Drought on Rural Communities Who Operate Drinking Water Aqueducts in Puerto Rico
Investigators: Cortes, Leslie Maas , Figueroa, Omar Perez , Ramirez, Graciela , Levine, Jay , Bowden, Jared
Current Investigators: Cortes, Leslie Maas , Ramirez, Graciela , Figueroa, Omar Perez , Levine, Jay , Bowden, Jared
Institution: Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust , Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Central Campus , North Carolina State University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: February 1, 2023 through May 12, 2025
Project Amount: $1,349,990
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
Description:
The goal is to use climate change information with citizen science data and community engagement observations to understand and predict the impact of global climate change on freshwater quantity and quality for small potable water supply systems of remote populations. “Building back better” is our focus, as the risk of drought and associated water borne diseases will increase in the future. An understanding of the impact of climate change on pathogen survival and exposure pathways will assist local capacity building efforts to design climate resilient water distribution systems and provide recommendations to minimize pathogen exposure.
Objective:
- How can community-based research inform best practices for community aqueducts?
- What are best science-based indicators communities can establish to identify and quantify climate change impacts in their watersheds?
- What are the cumulative and short-term health impacts from water pollution on households connected to small water systems?
- Our main hypothesis is: Drinking water service during periods of drought within community-owned aqueducts contributes to an increase of bacterial contaminants which directly impacts human health via water borne pathogens.
Approach:
Meteorological observations will establish climate relationships important to pathogen exposure and provide information to understand high resolution climate change projections for microclimates. Community engagement methods, key informant interviews, data collection of rainfall, water quality, and surveillance of waterborne pathogens will be conducted. Results will be shared with water operators and stakeholders to determine community-led, science-based solutions appropriate for each context to mitigate health impacts. Observed factors like number served, financial status, accumulated rainfall, water source, water treatment, and power source when used with high-resolution climate change projections will provide holistic solutions for risk assessment and building resilience.
Expected Results:
We aim for capacity building via engagement with stakeholders, water quality and quantity risk assessments, and community-led solutions to improve human health and compliance with EPA standards.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
drought, climate change, islands, precipitation, drinking water, health effects, community-based, Puerto Rico (PR), Caribbean, rural, Environmental JusticeProgress 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.