ADVANCEMENT OF THE PRACTICE
outbreaks. This map helps both groups learn critical public health information. Using Community Engagement and Partnerships to Create a Repository To create the state’s boundary map, the DWJL used a community-based participa- tory research nonlinear iterative methodol- ogy. This methodology leverages knowledge gained from community engagement and uses six key stages representing the work- flow: 1) security, 2) data collection, 3) digi- tization, 4) standardization, 5) verification, and 6) database management. This approach, rooted in principles of reciprocity and col- laboration, seeks input from community members, researchers, and partners (Collins et al., 2018) to create the boundary maps and input on several ongoing applied research projects focused on improving drinking water access and quality for all individuals in Tennessee. Community engagement prac- tices began with workshops to determine the project’s mission and align values among all involved. After the project began, the group met monthly to report on progress and to resolve challenges from the use of these data to improve public health. Water system distribution maps were col- lected either directly from individual water utilities or TDEC. The CWS maps varied in format, including paper, non-editable PDFs, computer-aided design, and GIS files, some depicting water line locations. Non-GIS maps were georeferenced and if lines were available, the water system boundary was rendered from endpoints of these lines. If no lines were provided, streets, parcels, land- marks, and physical topography were used to create the map boundary. All GIS maps were reviewed and revised as necessary to facilitate integration into the statewide file geodatabase. To ensure data security, data use agreements and secure common storage of the digitized boundaries and water line maps were established. Documented data creation workflows and standardized meth- odologies were key to the success of this project (Figure 2). This process helped to address the amount of time required and the iterative nature of editing CWS maps. Once the geodatabase was complete, a review by partners and water utilities was sought to refine the boundaries and address
FIGURE 3
Lessons Learned From Building the Statewide Geospatial Community Water System Repository
Establish a clear project scope and methodology that is well-documented and flexible, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach, especially considering the unique needs of each community water system
Allow the community-based participatory research approach to guide how partner and community relationships are built and maintained
Lessons Learned
Implement data security agreements and establish secure servers at the beginning of the project to respect and allow partners and community participants to feel comfortable sharing sensitive data Use the GIS software and agreed on geospatial elements (e.g., coordinate systems, attribute information, etc.) that partners and community participants will be using in the end As multiple research assistants work on the project over time, it is imperative to have well-developed and vetted training materials, keep a regularly updated research log, and implement data fail safes in project schemas and workflows
concerns among water utility sta. The veri- fication process was another crucial step in partner collaboration. During weekly stand- ing meetings, partners reviewed the bound- ary maps to ensure accurate geospatial rep- resentation and confirmed if there were overlaps and whether CWSs were embedded within one another. Throughout this project, the team discussed lessons learned that local health departments might find helpful if con- ducting a similar project (Figure 3). Using Maps to Improve Water Quality and Support Health Justice Eorts TDEH has already begun to use these data to identify areas of the state that are not covered by a CWS. They are also identifying where well water or spring water use is prevalent to better understand waterborne illnesses such as cryptosporidiosis and legionellosis. A joint project between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and TDEC uses these data to assess water availability and interconnection in the Old Hickory Watershed. DWJL is using these data to assess the potential associa- tion between race and ethnicity, sociodemo- graphic factors, and drinking water quality at the CWS level.
Supporting Resources
• Vanderbilt Drinking Water Jus- tice Lab Resources: https://lab. vanderbilt.edu/dwjlab/lab-resources/ tennessee-community-water- systems-estimated-service-area- boundary-project – Tennessee Community Water Systems Estimated Service Area Boundary (ESAB) Project Method- ology Work ow – Detailed Georeferencing in ArcMap Training Deck – Detailed Creating ESABs in ArcMap Training Deck • TN Public Water System Service Area Mapping Application: https:// tdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/web appviewer/index.html?id=0441e42b a291450e833757ca6b6029a1 • Drinking Water Watch Database: https://dataviewers.tdec.tn.gov/DWW
and Safe Water for Community Health Pro- grams within CDC. The collaboration was also supported by funding from the Vander- bilt University Interdisciplinary Discovery Grant and TDEC.
Acknowledgments: This project was funded through the Environmental Health Capacity
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Volume 87 • Number 1
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