Access to Safe Drinking Water in Rural America [U.S. Water Crisis Part One]

TOPICWater Infrastructure in Rural CommunitiesIN THIS EPISODE[01:39] Introduction of Hope Cupit and Andy Crocker.[02:18] In light of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, how many Americans lack access to safe drinking water?[03:16] Is it accurate that the number of people who don’t have access to drinking water doesn’t take into account those who may have access to below-standard drinking water?[03:49] Is the lack of water infrastructure disproportionately located in other geographic ways, or are certain populations more likely to be impacted?[05:45] How are investments for new developments justified when distressed communities have been trying for years to get water infrastructure?[08:55] What are the health and economic implications for rural communities that don’t have access to clean water and wastewater facilities?[10:28] What has the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project been doing to address this problem of inequity in access to water infrastructure?[12:26] Is South Carolina one of the states that you work in?[12:49] How do you get infrastructure to communities that have been trying to get onto municipal water supplies?[14:21] On a national level, what are some of the obstacles that get in the way of being able to get communities what they need?[15:50] How are tribal communities enduring the lack of water infrastructure?[18:02] How can people learn more and support the work that you’re doing at SERCAP?[19:36] Hope and Andy share information about the larger network that SERCAP is part of.[21:09] Does the larger RCAP network have its own website?[21:34] Hope and Andy explain why this work is important to them.[23:00] Andy and Hope share one change that would lead to smarter, more sustainable, and more equitable communities.[23:25] Hope and Andy explain the action that listeners can take to help build a more equitable and sustainable future.[23:55] Hope and Andy share what the world looks like 30 years from now.GUESTSHope Cupit is the President and CEO of the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP). She also is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and is a Professor at Virginia Western Community College where she teaches Financial Accounting. In 2007, Mrs. Cupit began her tenure at Southeast RCAP as the Controller, then was promoted to become the Vice President/Deputy CEO and was hired in 2009 as President and CEO for the organization. Mrs. Cupit comes from a background of community leadership and has been actively involved with community economic development efforts for over 25 years. She is devoted to assisting the less fortunate and maintaining the integrity of improving the infrastructure of small rural communities. She enjoys working with these small communities, learning first-hand about the challenges people face in everyday life and advocating on their behalf.Andy Crocker is the Virginia State Manager for Regional Programs at SERCAP.ORGANIZATIONSSoutheast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc.’s (SERCAP) mission is to improve the quality of life for low-income individuals by promoting affordable water and wastewater facilities, community development, environmental health, and economic self-sufficiency. As a member of the National Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), SERCAP serves all of the rural citizens of seven southeastern states: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. To date, SERCAP has brought clean water and wastewater facilities to more than 450,000 residents in our seven state networkIn keeping with their...