Associations Between Landfill Proximity and Water Quality Analytes from Private Domestic Wells in Rural Virginia

The Chickahominy T.R.U.T.H. (Trust, Research, Understand, Teach, and Heal) Project investigates water quality concerns, including potential contamination from a nearby landfill, and their corresponding health implications among residents of rural Charles City County, Virginia. This rural, majority-racial-minority county includes citizens of the Chickahominy Indian tribe. The T.R.U.T.H. Project utilizes a community-based participatory research approach and environmental justice-focused lens to study water quality and health; the present study represents the first comprehensive analysis of the drinking water quality of homes with domestic groundwater wells. We collected water samples from 121 participants located within a four-mile radius of the landfill, analyzing over 200 potential analytes that may affect water quality. Among the measured analytes, water pH, aluminum, iron, manganese, and hardness as CaCO3 were most frequently identified as having ratings outside of established EPA limits (“Bad”). Logistic regression models demonstrated that proximity to streams near the landfill was associated with significantly greater odds of worse water quality for several analytes. Specifically, residing within a mile of these streams was associated with greater odds of “Fair” or worse turbidity (OR = 4.31, 95% CI 1.31–19.53) and zinc levels (OR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.23–5.86). Additionally, residing within half a mile of a proximate stream was linked with “Poor” or worse hardness ratings (OR = 10.71, 95% CI 1.64–86.96); residing within a mile of the landfill was associated with “Bad” water pH levels (OR = 10.50, 95% CI 1.16–95.68). Though many tested analytes did not have concerning ratings or were not significantly associated with proximity to the landfill or streams, the above findings suggest that anthropogenic factors, particularly landfill proximity, may influence water quality with regard to specific analytes. Therefore, addressing water quality through enhanced monitoring, contaminant remediation, and community education is crucial for restoring trust in drinking water and improving public health outcomes.