Unbounded from Water
Access to clean water is a fundamental aspect of public health and wellbeing, yet many communities in the United States remain disconnected from reliable water systems. In December 2020, the small community of Indian Head, MD, faced a crisis when residents awoke to find their taps running brown, burnt-smelling water. The well that had served them since 1962 had collapsed, leaving 50 individuals and 16 homes without access to essential water for bathing, cleaning, and drinking.
Prior to this incident, many residents were unaware they were unbounded from the county water lines. The sudden loss of clean water highlighted the community's vulnerability and the urgent need for a reliable solution. In response, the community's water board reached out to the nearest municipality to explore the possibility of connecting to its centralized water system.
However, the option to run a waterline across a major highway turned out to be prohibitively expensive, with initial estimates exceeding one million dollars. Faced with this financial barrier, the community sought assistance from Community Engineering Corps and the Southeast Regional Community Assistance Partnership to identify a more feasible solution.
In response, Community Engineering Corps mobilized three professional volunteers who collaborated with the community to produce a comprehensive preliminary engineering report. This report assessed critical aspects of the community's water system, including the installation of shut-off valves, metering, storage, distribution system needs, and, crucially, alternative water supply options.
With this valuable expertise and guidance, Indian Head was able to chart a new path forward. The report became a vital resource for Jerri, the treasurer of the water board, who used it to secure funding for the construction of a new well. Reflecting on the profound impact of the volunteers' work, Jerri expressed gratitude: “[The CECorps volunteers] that prepared the preliminary engineering report for us—thank you so much! I know you just turned in a report, but that report turned into a lot of money that turned into a new well being drilled. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.”
The story of Indian Head serves as a powerful example of how community resilience, paired with dedicated support from volunteers, can lead to transformative solutions in times of crisis. It underscores the importance of collaboration in overcoming infrastructure challenges and securing vital resources for communities in need.
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