Water is essential to the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. We have abundant water in the US; but many delivery systems are old or malfunctioning. Additionally, there are inequities in access to water correlated with people who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, person of color), have lower than average incomes and/or levels of education, are LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or asexual), are immigrants, primarily speak a language other than English, or are immigrants (see TPCHD). Urbanization reflects inequities and other stressors such as climate change, development, transportation, and accelerated delivery of toxic materials that infiltrate our food, air, and water.

With urbanization and continual development in Western Washington, our water supply and resources are challenged with pollution, abundance, toxicity, and much-needed monitoring. In Pierce County, many organizations and governmental agencies contribute to ensuring safe and clean water for human consumption, healthy wildlife and environment, commerce, and recreation. While municipal Health Departments are not in control of or have direct oversight of our waterways, they do offer services that contribute to safe and clean water in our community. The Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department addresses and offers support to residents and the community. A few of these services are highlighted below.

Septic Systems – These single or multi-home systems are not directly connected to a larger sewage system and require home or property owner’ maintenance to keep them operational. When well maintained, they help us avoid sickness from untreated sewage, prevent groundwater from becoming contaminated, save owners’ expenses, and/or reduce replacement costs.

Health Equity Maps –  PC and other municipalities identify trends in human activities that reveal patterns according to multiple variables, such as geographic location, levels of income, and access to services. The TPCHD examines “adverse social, economic, and environmental (SEE) conditions [that can]  create poor health outcomes” that can constitute health inequities if not racism. This health priority is to work collaboratively with individuals and organizations to reduce injustice and contribute to a healthy environment for everyone. These maps are in the process of being updated, but archived maps are still available.

Surface Water Quality – While Pierce County has a Surface Water Management Division, the TPCHD offers strategies to avoid contamination of water systems and toxicity in water (such as algae) or shellfish. They share how you can get involved in local organizations through volunteering.

Resources
Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department Washington State Department of Health – See Community and Environment
Pierce County has a Surface Water Management Division,

Reading
The health potential of urban water: Future scenarios on local risks and opportunities
Water insecurity and population health: Implications for health equity and policy
Water Quality. The Department of Ecology State of Washington
Urbanization and Water Quality, USGS
Urban Health, The World Health Organization