Clean Water, Clean Life: Promoting Healthier, Accessible Water in Rural Appalachia

In the rural Appalachian region of the United States, thousands of residents struggle with issues of water quality and accessibility. Vulnerabilities of poverty, isolation, and rough geographical terrain complicate life for Appalachians who need access to adequate water supply and septic systems. In 2013, an inter-professional team of nursing, architecture, engineering, and law enforcement faculty and students developed a water-focused collaboration with community members in southeastern Kentucky. Greater accessibility to clean drinking water is a critical need in the area. Collaborative community engagement yielded effective and sustainable interventions. Inter-professional teams completed N=30 comprehensive home assessments examining factors such as water source utilization, septic system management, health status, and disaster preparedness. While the majority of homes evaluated had functional water supply and septic systems, the team observed straight piping as a means of waste disposal for several homes. Homeowners who did not have a residential water supply identified common gathering places where they typically obtain drinking water. To expand environmental assessment, the team collected water samples at 16 different sites where residents obtain drinking water or use it for recreational purposes. Testing of collected samples revealed 15 of 16 sites contained fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, or both. Because of the findings, the team and community key informants collaboratively developed interventions, such as relaying findings to community leaders, developing a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)-related education program, and improving access to clean, safe water through the design and construction of a water kiosk. Outcome of interventions included greater awareness and knowledge of WASH related topics, improved access to clean water sources, and sustainable solutions to enhance overall quality of life, health and well-being.