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The Drinking Water Tool: A Community-Driven Data Visualization Tool for Policy Implementation.
Clare Pace1, Amanda Fencl2, Lauren Baehner1
1Department of Environmental Science Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|February 15, 2022
Summary
The Drinking Water Tool (DWT) effectively influences California water policy and interagency coordination. This community-driven approach addresses water equity challenges, benefiting vulnerable populations and improving access to safe drinking water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Community-Based Research
Background:
- The Community Water Center (CWC) developed the Drinking Water Tool (DWT) via the Water Equity Science Shop (WESS).
- WESS integrates community-based participatory research with the European Science Shop model.
- The initiative aims to inform policy, advance water justice, and reduce health disparities in California.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the DWT and its development process.
- To understand stakeholder perceptions of the tool's influence on policy, organizing, and research.
- To assess the effectiveness of community-driven tools in addressing water equity.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of 15 stakeholder interviews.
- Iterative feedback and stakeholder consultation during DWT development.
- Assessment of perceptions regarding the DWT's influence on California water policy.
Main Results:
- The DWT and its development process effectively influenced policy priorities.
- Stakeholder engagement promoted interagency coordination at multiple levels.
- The tool and process addressed water equity challenges and disproportionate burdens.
Conclusions:
- Community-driven tools like the DWT can significantly impact water policy.
- Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial for advancing water equity.
- The DWT demonstrates a successful model for addressing water access and quality issues, particularly for vulnerable communities.
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