Delaware State University, in partnership with the US Water Alliance, has taken an important step toward improving water resource management in underserved communities. The team celebrated the collaboration Dec. 5 during a community event held in the University’s Bank of America Building auditorium.
As the first Historically Black College and University to join forces with the USWA, DSU aims to provide critical technical assistance in water and wastewater management in Delaware and beyond. The initiative is supported by a $13 million grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, which earmarks $2 million specifically for DSU’s participation in the project.
Dr. Cherese Winstead is dean of DSU’s College of Agriculture, Science and Technology. He emphasized the importance of this program in solving environmental justice problems. “The grant will support our work to address environmental justice issues in disadvantaged communities with polluted waters and weak water systems,” she said. “Who better to solve this problem than an HBCU like DSU?”
Partnership Objectives
One of the key elements of this collaboration is the Water Analysis Laboratory of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology. It is recognized as one of only two accredited university water laboratories in the country. Renee Willette, USWA’s chief strategy officer, emphasized the lab’s potential impact on public relations efforts. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect students with real-life water quality needs in communities,” Willette said.
DSU plans to implement a variety of community outreach projects through this partnership to improve water quality in Delaware and nationwide. These initiatives will be organized under the new Environmental Justice Center planned to be launched as part of the collaboration. The center will provide students with an innovative workforce development program offering internships and hands-on experiences with local governments, water utilities and communities in need of vital water infrastructure improvements.
In addition to workforce development, the Center will expand the US Water Alliance’s technical assistance capabilities, assisting with infrastructure planning, environmental equity assessments, asset mapping and research activities. The goal of the partnership is to empower Environmental Finance Centers to help low-income communities access DSU’s cutting-edge Water Quality Laboratory for comprehensive water testing services.
“Delaware State University is proud to embrace this groundbreaking partnership with the US Water Alliance National Environmental Finance Center,” said Jason Nunley, DSU program director for the initiative.
The collaboration between DSU and the US Water Alliance represents a promising step toward equitable water access and environmental justice.
