Water quality gaps in minority community lakes

By Andi Anderson

A recent study conducted by Michigan State University (MSU) researchers has revealed that lakes in communities of color are monitored for water quality significantly less than those in predominantly white areas.

The study found that lakes in communities of color were three times less likely to be sampled at least once, and seven times less likely to have long-term monitoring data compared to lakes in white communities. This disparity raises concerns about environmental justice and the health risks posed to these communities.

The research team, led by Jessica Díaz Vázquez, a former MSU undergraduate and current John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, aimed to explore how water quality monitoring varies based on the race and ethnicity of nearby residents.

This study is one of the first to examine lake water quality monitoring on a national scale from an environmental justice perspective.

Lakes in Hispanic communities were also found to be less frequently monitored compared to those in non-Hispanic areas. The lack of monitoring data makes it difficult to assess the health and safety of lakes in these marginalized communities, potentially putting residents at greater risk.

The researchers utilized data from the LAGOS-US research platform, which provides information on over 500,000 lakes in the lower 48 U.S. states. By combining this data with U.S. Census information, the team was able to classify lakes based on the race and ethnicity of nearby populations.

According to the study's co-lead, Professor Patricia Soranno, there is limited research on freshwater resources from an environmental justice standpoint, despite existing literature on air and land pollution in marginalized communities.

This study highlights the need for local and state environmental monitoring programs to consider social factors, such as race and ethnicity, when deciding which lakes to monitor.

Through their research, the MSU team hopes to encourage more equitable environmental monitoring practices to ensure that all communities have access to safe and clean water sources.

Photo Credit: msu-extension