Water Quality and Environmental Justice in the Southeast United States

• In Event: Environmental Crimes and Harms: Facilitating Conditions, Situational Factors, Guardianship, and Environmental Justice

Abstract

Objective:

Riverkeepers and water coalition groups protect and advocate for water quality in communities across the United States. In Georgia, water conservation is influenced by a variety of factors such as race and physical geography. Our study examined how riverkeepers and water coalition groups sought to improve water quality, what communities in Georgia are being impacted by poor water quality, what disconnects exist between riverkeeper groups and governmental agencies, and how COVID-19 has challenged the riverkeepers and other stakeholders.

Data/Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed thematically.

Results:

We find that collaboration among organizations, enforcement of current policy, defending communities of color, and educating the public on water quality are all critical to maintaining watersheds in Georgia. Vulnerable groups and instances of environmental racism present challenges to water conservation.

Conclusions/Implications:

We discuss these barriers and strategies to overcome them in an effort to promote environmental justice.

Authors

• Jacob Crawford, Georgia Southern University

• Chad Posick, Georgia Southern University