Project Grant 96214124

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO ADDRESS AND MITIGATE THE HEALTH RISKS FROM WATER CONTAMINATION CAUSED BY FAILING SEPTIC SYSTEMS AND ESTABLISH A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER NETWORK TO PROMOTE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS AND INFORMATION SHARING. THROUGH WATER SYSTEM SAMPLING, COMMUNITY MEETINGS, AND DATA GATHERING, ONLINE ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO ONE ANOTHER OF WATER EVENTS AND BETTER SAFEGUARD CLEAN DRINKING AND WASTE WATER. THIS NETWORK WILL BE RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF INCREASINGLY EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS ON THE ISLAND OF PUERTO RICO. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDE: CREATION OF A WEBSITE TO ACT LANDING PAGE FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO SHARE INFORMATION AND PROJECT UPDATES ALONG WITH A SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN ON THE DEVELOPED SITE TO SHARE INFO ON WATER QUALITY. THIS WILL EFFECTIVELY ESTABLISH A SAFE WATER QUALITY NETWORK THAT BRINGS TOGETHER AFFECTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STAKEHOLDERS FOR COLLABORATION. IN ADDITION TO THE ONLINE CAMPAIGN, THE GRANTEE WILL CONDUCT AN OUTREACH AND INFORMATION CAMPAIGN WITH PARTNERS IN THE FORM OF TOWN HALLS WITH ACADEMIC PROFESSIONALS THAT WILL ENGAGE AT LEAST 100 PEOPLE ON ACTIONABLE STEPS AND MEASURES TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH. FURTHER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT INCLUDES IDENTIFYING AND COLLECTING WATER QUALITY TESTING RESOURCES DELINEATING COST, PROCUREMENT METHODS, AND PARAMETERS TESTED. DURING AND AT THE END OF THE PROJECT, REPORTS, INTERVIEWS, AND SURVEYS TO GAGE SUCCESS OF PROGRAMMING WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE PROGRAM OFFICE, AND MADE AVAILABLE TO STAKEHOLDERS.SUBRECIPIENT:THE SUB-AWARDEE ASOCIACTION ENLACE ASUNTOS WILL HOLD WORKSHOPS, TRAIN RESIDENTS, AND LIASE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST, SUCH AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL TERRITORIAL BOARD AND NATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE THE SUB-AWARDEE FUNDACION CORAZON ELASTICO WILL WORK TO DESIGN AND PRESENT THE WATER QUALITY EXHIBIT AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL IN SCHOOLS MALLS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS. OUTCOMES:BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT INCLUDE HOMEOWNER AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS IN PUERTO RICO AS WELL AS RESIDENTS WITH SEPTIC AND WATER SYSTEMS. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOMEOWNERS/ COMMERCIAL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE EDUCATED ABOUT WATER QUALITY ISSUES AND ABLE TO TAKE ACTION USING INFORMATION AND TOOLS GAINED TO TEST THEIR OWN WATER SUPPLY AND SEPTIC SYSTEMS ISSUES (TEST WATER AND SEPTIC SYSTEMS, CONTACT RELEVANT OFFICIALS, PARTICIPATE IN SURVEYS ETC.). WITH A WELL-INFORMED PUBLIC, THE COMMUNITY WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO ACCESS FUNDING FOR UPGRADES AND COLLABORATE WITH ACADEMICS AND GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIALS IN DATA GATHERING. THE GRANTEE WILL CREATE A WEBSITE AND PLATFORM WITH INFORMATIVE CONTENT AND USER FEEDBACK. THE TOWNHALLS WITH ACADEMICS AND PROFESSIONALS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE PEOPLE, WITH PERSONAL STORIES, SURVEYS, AND ACTIVITIES.