Water Collaborative Of Greater New Orleans

The Water Collaborative of New Orleans (TWC) hosted a design competition to address real-world environmental challenges impacting the Gulf South, engaging designers, architects, and community members in creating innovative climate-adaptive solutions. Through partnerships and public voting, a winning design was selected, manufactured, and installed in a community in need, providing tangible benefits such as flood reduction and increased green space. The competition fostered increased social connectedness, innovation, and climate change awareness among participants, while promoting resilience, food security, and long-term environmental impact in underserved communities. The initiative also supported sustainable funding for TWC's future projects.

Our organization embarked on a vital mission to assess water quality and investigate PFAS contamination. We initiated our comprehensive water quality study, leveraging pro-bono technical assistance from former EPA experts and independent technical report writing support from the Center for Applied Environmental Science. To facilitate data collection, we trained and deployed six dedicated fellows, who diligently gathered 31 water samples spanning from Pointe Coupee Parish to Orleans Parish along the Mississippi River. These samples underwent thorough analysis for PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, and BTEX compounds by a nationally certified laboratory, revealing troubling evidence of PFOA, PFOS, PFBA, and ethylene contamination at seven sample sites. To disseminate our findings effectively, we authored two comprehensive reports-one technical and one community-oriented-detailing our study, its implications, and proposing solutions. Our commitment to transparency and community engagement was further demonstrated through in-person and virtual meetings with community members, as well as engagements with the EPA Office of Water and other key stakeholders. Through these endeavors, we remain steadfast in our mission to safeguard water quality and advocate for actionable solutions to address contamination issues.

Our organization launched an innovative Green Tour initiative to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices within our community. With the assistance of three dedicated interns, we meticulously crafted tour scripts, synthesizing valuable information to engage and educate participants effectively. She meticulously designed tour stops for both walking and custom tours, ensuring a comprehensive and immersive experience for visitors. Additionally, Jessica developed a captivating script and recorded a self-guided GPS tour for Voice Maps, enabling individuals to explore at their own pace. To enhance the tour's visibility and impact, Jessica collaborated with a branding company to develop a comprehensive brand guide, logo, and user-friendly website. Through her strategic vision and collaborative efforts, Jessica has established a dynamic platform for fostering environmental stewardship and inspiring positive change within our community.

We successfully introduced a Community Education and Certification Program, providing training to nonprofits, community members, and organizations across the country on Water Justice principles. Through collaborative sessions and a structured curriculum, participants developed advocacy skills to address water affordability, quality, and privatization issues. The program strengthened collaboration among stakeholders, driving policy changes and advocacy for water justice, while its fee structure ensures long-term sustainability and supports continued education and infrastructure improvements in underserved communities.

We created a Community Engagement Framework that empowered residents to contribute to project design of infrastructure projects and improved stakeholder-resident communication by holding focus groups, interviews and educational sessions.

We launched a public engagement initiative to raise awareness about the risks of lead exposure and advocate for the equitable removal of lead pipes. Through educational resources, community events, and collaboration with local organizations, the initiative increased community knowledge of water quality and protective measures. Research partnerships and small-scale studies provided advocacy pressure for the Sewerage and Water Board to comply with the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule and begin replacing lead service lines. This effort contributes to reducing lead exposure, creating local jobs, and ensuring a safer, more equitable water system for New Orleans residents.