Community Corner 

Several Navajo Nation Chapters are in need of access to safe drinking. The Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency’s Public Water      Systems Supervision Program (PWSSP) understands that many Navajo families use unregulated water sources for drinking water and general domestic use. The unregulated water sources include livestock wells and spring sources. These sources are not sampled on a regular basis so the water quality is unknown. Livestock wells were installed for livestock use only. Many of the unregulated water sources were found to have elevated levels of heavy metals, total coliform (bacteria), and e. Coli (bacteria found in feces). These contaminants pose a public health threat.

The Navajo EPA’s PWSSP recommends that chapters draft a resolution requesting for a regulated watering point in their communties. The resolution should identify potential locations of the watering point. Furthermore, it is assumed that the chapter or Navajo Tribal Utility Authority will operate and maintain these watering points. The resolution should be written by and be approved by the chapter. 

PWSSP is available for technical assistance. If you have any questions, please contact the PWSSP at 928-871-7755.