Protect Our Water Community Project

Have you ever wondered where our water comes from and if it's safe to drink?

Join PEA for a FREE community-based water quality testing event for people of all ages. Learn how to test the water and how to advocate for and protect clean water in our city. This project is a collaboration between Piedmont Environmental Alliance and the Young Engineering Lab at Wake Forest University. 
 
Next project date: July 20 @ 1–2pm
Location: Carl Russell Community Center (3521 Carver School Rd)
Project background: 

Salem Creek is classified as a 303(d) listed stream (defined by the EPA as "water quality-limited" or impaired). As in many communities, companies and residents of Winston-Salem have historically used its streams as a dumping ground for waste. This has seriously impacted Salem Creek and many other streams in the area, whether through nonpoint source pollution from runoff, spills from industry, or failing septic systems.

The section of Salem Creek to be studied is an important recreational corridor, with several city parks connected by a 5-mile greenway. Facing entrenched, chronic water pollution that impacts our drinking water and the soil in our yards and recreation areas, local residents often feel disenfranchised and stonewalled by local officials. This is a clear example of the difficulty of historically excluded communities to harness political resources and successfully advocate for environmental justice.

Project Goals:

The ultimate goal of the project is to foster inclusive governance and planning by empowering local citizens to take a seat at the table where decisions about watershed protection take place. We will accomplish this by

  • (1) using a citizen science approach to engage the community (high school to adults) in conducting water quality testing as part of a robust environmental education program and
  • (2) equipping community members with data from the watershed quality testing and advocacy training so that they may engage with municipal water authorities and advocate for improvements in their water systems.
Project team:

All Community members welcome 

Dr. Kyana Young, Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering at Wake Forest University

Jaime Cárdenas, Ph.D. Student and Research Assistant, Department of Engineering at Wake Forest University 

Jamie Maier, Executive Director of Piedmont Environmental Alliance

Jessica Mendez Rowe,  Piedmont Environmental Alliance

Cornelia Barr, Piedmont Environmental Alliance