Value of Water Series: Water Access Perspective with COPE

In this special episode of Talking Under Water, One Water, One Podcast, hosts Bob Crossen, Lauren Del Ciello and Katie Johns share the final interview in the four-part Value of Water Series. The series aims to share diverse voices and perspectives on solving water access, equity and affordability issues starting with the role of one water before digging into the utility perspective, a community group perspective and finally a perspective from the ground floor on water access. In this episode, Lauren interviews Carmen George, research & MEQ manager for the Community Outreach & Patient Empowerment (COPE) program. The program is a partnership with the Navajo Nation Community Health Representative Outreach Program to improve the lives of those living with chronic diseases in Navajo Nation. The program has also been significantly involved in water access issues in the community, especially in light of current circumstances. Lauren and Carmen discuss COPE’s mission and barriers to clean drinking water access. Additionally, the conversation digs into the role of education in long-term change for water access and use, as well as how the “one water” approach can be a sustainable, long-term method to meet these access and education obstacles.