INCREASING ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WATER QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD IN GRANVILLE AND VANCE COUNTIES IN NORTH CAROLINA

<span style="font-weight: 400;">This proposal is developed for the Commissioners, using the public health vital conditions framework developed by The Rippel Foundation, to provide recommendations for addressing water quality in Granville and Vance Counties in North Carolina. The process prioritized sustainability and considered various socioeconomic factors that disproportionately impact water quality and its associated effects on health equity for county residents, especially those most vulnerable like pregnant individuals, young children, and infants. The analysis summarizes a three-month-long evaluation of current community assets, local utility reports, existing data, conversations with local community experts, and public health tools to develop a multifaceted approach for prioritizing long-term improvements in the community&rsquo;s public water systems and health. Access to safe drinking water is vital in a thriving natural world.</span>