Water Collaboratory Program Fall 2024 Update
The Water Collaboratory program has been hard at work this year, driving community engagement, promoting water equity, and fostering resilience in Central Appalachia. From hands-on cleanup projects to groundbreaking research, our efforts aim to ensure that every community has access to clean, safe, and reliable water.
Advancing Water and Climate Equity
In August, our partners at Pacific Institute released the report Water and Climate Equity in Rural Water Systems in the United States, co-authored with LiKEN and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP). The report highlights the systemic challenges faced by rural water systems, including aging infrastructure, water quality concerns, and the compounded effects of climate change. It offers a roadmap for building resilience through community-driven research and practical solutions.
LiKEN is using the report as a springboard to develop resources like the Water Resilience Toolkit for Harlan County. This toolkit, set for release soon, will help residents navigate water emergencies, understand their water systems, and foster community-based solutions.
Building Awareness Through Community Events
At the MAMAW Festival in Harlan, KY, McKensi Gilliam shared vital information on the impacts of pollutants in tap and source water on local health. Joined by Madison Mooney, she distributed educational materials, including LiKEN’s Community Engagement Guide and resources on climate resilience, and facilitated conversations about how water systems work. This outreach was made possible with support from UK-CARES, which enhances research on air and water quality impacts linked to environmental health.
McKensi Gilliam presented on “The effects of pollutants in tap and source water on the health of residents in Harlan County,” answered questions, and handed out materials on water systems, LiKEN, our Community Engagement Guide, and climate resilience at the MAMAW Fest (Mountains of Appalachia Music, Arts, & Wellness Festival) in Harlan, KY, on July 27, 2024. She was joined by Madison Mooney at her table.
2nd Annual Kentucky Watershed Network Summit
In Morehead, KY, community engagement coordinators Madison Mooney and McKensi Gilliam attended the 2nd Annual Kentucky Watershed Network Summit. Organized by Kentucky Waterways Alliance and Watershed Watch, the event brought together residents, watershed groups, and environmental experts to discuss proactive strategies for improving water quality and addressing flooding. Notably, Friends of the Tug Fork received the first-ever “Watershed Group of the Year” award, recognizing their commitment to protecting waterways.
Action on the Ground: Cleanup Projects in Martin County
Residents in Martin County took direct action to improve their waterways during community cleanup events organized by Madison Mooney. In September’s CityWalk Creek Cleanup in Inez and October’s Warfield Cleanup, participants collected 30 bags of garbage and removed 12 tires from local water systems. These efforts not only improved the environment but also built momentum for future cleanup projects in 2025.
Looking Ahead
The Water Collaboratory program remains committed to addressing immediate challenges while empowering Appalachian communities to build a sustainable future. By leveraging local strengths—such as cultural values, social networks, and natural resources—we’re fostering solutions that go beyond water challenges to create long-term resilience.
For more details, check out the report from Pacific Institute here, and watch our executive director Betsy Taylor discuss it on Water Loop. Together, we’re working toward a more equitable future for all.
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