New research released by the Pacific Institute and DigDeep outlines over 100 actionable strategies for frontline communities’ water and sanitation systems in the face of intensifying climate impacts while addressing systemic inequities. This report, “Achieving Equitable, Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation for Frontline Communities,” defines specific attributes of equitable, climate-resilient water and sanitation that are key to advancing solutions to the climate crisis.
“This report emphasizes tailoring approaches to fit the unique social, economic, and cultural contexts of communities, providing actionable strategies for diverse audiences, including community organizations, utilities, and decision-makers at all levels,” said Dr. Shannon McNeeley, lead author and Water and Climate Equity Lead at the Pacific Institute.
Climate change is accelerating climate disasters and extreme weather events, including heat waves, droughts, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes, that disrupt and sometimes destroy water and sanitation access, especially for the most overburdened and underresourced communities. The report includes real-world examples of how frontline communities strengthen the climate resilience of water and wastewater systems by building or improving infrastructure, applying innovative technology, implementing nature-based solutions, delivering more equitable management and planning, accessing funding and financing, using local knowledges and information, and building capacity.
“This report underscores the transformative power of community-driven approaches for achieving equitable, climate-resilient water and sanitation,” said Kimberly Lemme, Executive Director of DigDeep Labs. “From solar-powered water systems on the Navajo Nation to municipal water connections in Appalachia, projects like these demonstrate how tailored approaches restore access to essential services and dignity, health, and resilience for frontline communities facing mounting climate challenges.”
The report identifies eight categories of attributes and strategies for achieving equitable, climate-resilient water and sanitation systems. These areas highlight systemic gaps and provide actionable pathways for advancing water equity:
- Built Infrastructure: Many US water systems are outdated, and millions of people still lack running water or plumbing in their homes. New and improved built infrastructure that can withstand extreme climate impacts is vital to ensure equitable, reliable service.
- Technology and Innovation: Sustainable solutions, such as solar-powered water systems, have already benefited over 750 households in the Navajo Nation. Successful technological approaches require understanding the social, ecological, and political contexts of the communities they serve.
- Natural Infrastructure: Nature-based solutions, like wetland restoration and aquifer recharge, improve water quality and water supply reliability.
- Management and Planning: Community-centered management and planning, source water protection, financial sustainability, disaster preparedness, cross-sectoral coordination, and monitoring and evaluation are critical for success.
- Funding and Financing: Billions of dollars in federal funding combined with local, state, and NGO sources have spurred adaptation and have supported climate disaster preparedness, mitigation, and recovery. The future of federal funding opportunities is uncertain so other funding sources will be critical for climate resilience.
- Knowledge and Information: Solutions are strengthened by incorporating local and place-based knowledges with technical expertise through inclusive approaches to knowledge creation and sharing. Frontline communities need accessible and usable water and climate data that is specific to their location and decision timeframes.
- Capacity Building: Investing in workforce development, climate literacy training, trust-building between communities and utilities, and cross-sector coordination is essential to equip communities and utilities to meet future challenges.
- Law and Policy: While the framework includes law and policy attributes, this report does not. The next report in this series will identify existing federal, state, and local laws and policies that enhance climate resilience of drinking water systems for frontline communities.
The report is the third in the ongoing series “Water, Sanitation, and Climate Change in the United States,” a partnership between the Pacific Institute, DigDeep, and the Center for Water Security and Cooperation.
