Disproportionate Impacts of Water Quality Deterioration on Historically Vulnerable Communities

Water quality degradation severely impacts human health, ecosystems, and community resilience. Globally, over two billion people live in water-stressed regions. Poorly treated or managed water can carry contaminants harmful to human health, leading to infectious waterborne diseases. Climate change, urbanization, and aging infrastructure further aggravate water quality deterioration. The objective of this study is to compile geospatial water quality observations, integrate it with socio-economic databases, and assess community vulnerability using decision-relevant metrics. We focus on neighborhoods in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, where recurring water quality issues raise serious concerns. We demonstrate how expanding urbanization, intensifying hydroclimatic extremes, and aging infrastructure exacerbate water quality degradation. This study provides critical insights into drinking water quality issues and environmental justice to inform the design of equitable water management strategies.