Using EPA-provided tools to address water quality issues in communities with environmental justice concerns

Ecologic studies consistently demonstrate that communities of color who are economically disadvantaged experience poor health outcomes relative to the general population. In support of these efforts the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a number of grants designed for community groups who are working to ameliorate these detrimental environmental conditions. Rural communities also face the added burden of access to environmental health resources to assess environmental risks. The San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC) in Alamosa, CO, is the recipient of two EPA grant programs. The Collaborative Problem Solving Grant brought together businesses, environmental groups, educational institutions, government entities, and public health personnel to discuss the design of the program. Volunteers attended health fairs in all six Valley counties, and provided educational materials, both Spanish and English. Educational forums took place in thirteen Valley communities in the summer of 2009, discussing various health threats posed from contamination of private household wells. Participants were instructed how to take water samples. The Environmental Justice Small Grants program provided funding so households could receive free water testing. Test results were centralized in a database, and GIS points were used to map each well that was tested. This information forms a baseline to show areas of the Valley that may pose health threats due to water contamination. All materials, including mapping results, are provided to public health care professionals. SLVEC believes that environmental health is the foundation for public health, and this data helps lay that groundwork.