Safe Water Together for Brunswick
Partnership for Innovation
Located in Brunswick and Glynn County, Georgia, this coastal community faces longstanding water quality challenges exacerbated by environmental pollution, socio-economic disparities, and climate change-induced sea-level rise. In response, project stakeholders—including Rebuilding Together Glynn County, the Glynn County School System, Georgia Southern University, and the Georgia Institute of Technology—have come together to empower residents through hands-on education. Spearheaded by Dr. Asli Aslan of the Institute for Water and Health (IWH) and Dr. Stacy Smallwood from Georgia Southern University, in collaboration with Dr. Russ Clark from the Georgia Tech Institute for People and Technology, the initiative puts science into the hands of local citizens. Residents are trained to test water quality themselves, using advanced but accessible methods, like IDEXX bacterial laboratory technology and EPA-approved protocols. Through this process, they become “Safe Water Ambassadors,” gaining crucial knowledge to share within their community. The bacterial analysis laboratory used for testing is community-owned, ensuring that residents directly benefit from both environmental improvement and economic opportunities. This grassroots approach emerged directly from community concerns. Local leaders like Commissioner Allen Booker noticed increased fishing in polluted areas like Terry Creek, which is adjacent to multiple Superfund sites listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as contaminated with hazardous waste and needing significant environmental remediation. There are 23 Superfund sites around Georgia, and four of them are in Glynn County. Traditional fishing advisories alone weren’t enough to change habits that had long been instilled in the community. Understanding the cultural, generational, and economic reasons why residents continued fishing in unsafe waters, Safe Water Together involved residents in selecting the monitoring sites most important to them, creating genuine partnerships that respect local priorities. Safe Water Together also embodies environmental sustainability through its use of clean technology. Data collected by residents is transferred efficiently using optimized methods that reduce emissions, while eco-conscious technological solutions allow for minimal ecological disruption. Dr. Asli Aslan emphasizes that the community-driven aspect of the project fills a critical gap in understanding local water quality. “This particular project is specifically very important for us because it’s a true partnership with the community, from identifying the research questions to implementation and eventually working with the community to find solutions for those issues,” Aslan explains. This sentiment is echoed in the voices of residents themselves. Terry Walker, a retired veteran born and raised in Glynn County, participates as a Safe Water Ambassador. For Walker, involvement in the project is personal, providing a sense of peace of mind: “We can’t control everything, but we can at least come out, sample our water, and be a part of this. It gives me more ease when I lay down at night knowing that maybe I am making a difference, and somebody else can be saved because of what I try to do every other week.” The project's success in Brunswick has already sparked similar initiatives elsewhere. In Marion, Alabama, community leaders have adopted the model to address their own water infrastructure and economic challenges. As part of PIN’s 2024 Community Research Grant program, the initiative received a $150,000 grant funded by Alabama Power and is a collaboration between the University of Alabama, Georgia Southern University, the local governments of Eastman, GA and Marion, AL, as well as residents and schools in Marion. Marion faces workforce shortages, with many of its water operators nearing retirement without a younger generation ready to step into these critical roles. To tackle this, the city has created an internship program, including the local military institute, designed to educate and equip young people with essential skills in water-quality management and STEM careers. Additionally, the program incorporates peer mentorship with the city of Eastman, to help Marion and its residents with cost-effective decision making around water infrastructure improvement. Ultimately, Safe Water Together for Brunswick embodies the principles of innovative, inclusive, and sustainable public-private partnerships. By leveraging advanced technology, empowering local residents, and fostering cross-sector collaboration, this project has dramatically improved the quality of life for residents in Brunswick and Glynn County. It provides a model of community-driven environmental management, creating a healthier community for current and future generations. Given its success, community endorsement, and clear potential for broader replication, the Safe Water Together initiative exemplifies excellence worthy of recognition in the P3 Awards.