Colorado River Water: Minorities Face Worst Contamination

Vulnerable populations, particularly minority and low-income groups, are bearing the brunt of water contamination from the Colorado River. A new report details how these communities experience a distinctly segregated pattern of exposure to harmful pollutants in their drinking water.

Factors contributing to this inequitable situation include leaky underground storage tanks releasing toxic materials, insufficient green spaces leading to pollution, and incomplete household water access. These issues disproportionately affect Native American, Hispanic, and Black populations who often have fewer resources for mitigation and recovery.

Compounding these challenges, these historically marginalized groups have had limited representation in policy processes that determine water access and quality. The findings underscore a critical need for water policy to prioritize equity and reduce current disproportionate levels of exposure.