Access to reliable and affordable drinking water remains a challenge in rural Arizona. Many households depend on private wells, small treatment systems, or delivered water, which can often be inconsistent and costly.

The Arizona Water for All (AW4A) project, part of Arizona State University’s Water Innovation Initiative, is addressing this issue by identifying unsafe water sources and promoting sustainable practices within rural communities.

AW4A is collaborating with partners focused on supporting rural communities.

The initial phase of this initiative aims to provide vulnerable households with various water distribution options including private and shared wells, as well as small-scale treatment systems. Through household interviews and water quality analyses, the project seeks to deliver tailored solutions to residents.

Community access and trust

Initially, researchers are engaging with 20 households facing water insecurity in Yuma County, a farming area with diverse water supply issues.

The project is led by Carolina Jordan and Daniel Salcedo, who are leveraging their backgrounds in social science and water analysis.

Jordan, with experience from Brazil’s Amazon to Arizona’s deserts, emphasizes the importance of connection and trust-building in her work with communities. “Listening to their stories truly makes a difference,” she noted, highlighting the need for understanding before solutions can be proposed.

Salcedo, an expert in environmental science, also has personal insights into the water challenges faced by many communities. He mentioned, “With nearly 20 years in various water systems, and as someone from Mexico, I can relate to what these communities are going through.”

A key element of the project is its partnership with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), which has a strong history of supporting rural areas in improving water, wastewater, and waste management services.

When AW4A kicked off its work in Yuma County, RCAC provided essential logistical support.

The team, including Raul Vázquez, Alison Germain, Pablo Figueroa, and Sierra Kubicki, helped facilitate outreach by visiting homes, introducing researchers to families, and setting up interviews and tests. This level of access is crucial but often hard to achieve.

“Being present in the community helps us understand their stories and challenges, allowing us to make our research effective,” Vázquez remarked. “Our partnership ensures rural voices guide the solutions.”

This collaboration exemplifies the benefits of combining academic research with community organizations. While AW4A contributes technical expertise, RCAC offers local credibility and deep understanding of water systems.

“Though we’re scientists based in Tempe, we both come from different places, and gaining trust with community members is essential,” stated Jordan. “Working with RCAC allows us to enter homes and conduct water tests.”

The teams are collaborating on an adaptive and modular approach to water solutions, integrating both technology and social engagement.

Household survey and water quality test

During the summer, Jordan and Salcedo conducted extensive field interviews, often in extreme heat. They communicated in Spanish, one of Jordan’s three languages.

Supported by RCAC, they engaged households about water sources, treatment systems, and perceptions of safety. These discussions also examined community reliance on neighbors during shortages and the strength of local ties, which are vital for sustainable solutions.

In the meantime, Salcedo gathered water samples and answered residents’ questions regarding testing and its implications. Initial results showed hard water and some metal traces in certain homes.

Residents voiced a range of concerns about their water quality, mentioning unpleasant smells and tastes, as well as staining issues on fixtures. One individual reflected, “I started buying bottled water because I was afraid to even drink the tap water.”

Another noted the hassle of laundry, saying, “If my clothes turn yellow after a wash, I’d rather buy new ones than wash them again.”

This testing experience offered numerous families their first clear insight into their water quality. For many, simply knowing their water was safe brought reassurance and reduced their need for bottled water.

Jordan observed that while residents were initially hesitant about testing, their curiosity grew throughout the process. This transition led to feelings of empowerment and urgency as issues were uncovered.

Looking to the future

The impact of this initiative is apparent on several fronts.

First, it alleviates concerns for families, as knowledge about safe water can ease daily worries.

Second, it promises economic relief, since purchasing bottled water can strain low-income households, while accessible tap water mitigates that burden.

Lastly, it enhances public health measures by identifying contaminants early and linking households to remedy solutions.

The AW4A team is dedicated not only to diagnosis but also to developing workshops, reports, and engaging videos to communicate findings with families. Future actions may involve installing treatment systems, training local maintenance staff, and creating collective solutions that promote neighborly support.

“Understanding community needs is crucial when designing engineering solutions,” remarked Patrick Thomson, a research scientist with AW4A. “If we implement new technology, we need to know how residents can help each other maintain it.”

By year-end, the team plans to expand its project from the initial 20 homes to an additional 80 in rural Arizona, with future growth in the works. They are looking into training local partners, including RCAC staff, on water testing tools, ensuring sustainability beyond project funding.

This initiative stands out for its holistic approach, merging social dynamics with technical solutions. Many water interventions fail because they don’t regard communities as active participants. In contrast, this team prioritizes building relationships, co-designing, and enhancing community capacity to sustain changes.

For RCAC and the Rural Community Support Partnership, this project also presents an opportunity to develop a model that could be replicated nationally for other rural areas facing water scarcity.

“At RCAP, we believe safe drinking water is a right, not a privilege,” expressed Olga Morales Pate, CEO of the Rural Community Support Partnership. “Working with rural communities, we aim to help them identify unsafe water, innovate modular solutions, and provide necessary training for sustainable systems.”

Ultimately, the goal of this project is straightforward yet impactful: every household deserves affordable, safe water and the peace of mind that comes with it.

“When people aren’t worrying about water, their lives improve significantly,” Jordon states. “This relief is critical, particularly for underserved families. It’s foundational for everything else.”