Embedded Files
"Water resilience is the ability of water systems to function under conditions of shocks, stresses and changes in ways that allow nature and people to thrive."
from Water and Climate Equity in Rural Water Systems in the United States
We value your feedback!
Please fill out this form to help us improve the toolkit with your comments, suggestions, and information.
Thank you!
The Appalachian mountains are blessed with abundant rain. Yet many people struggle to get affordable water and sewage service for their homes and businesses. And many others, when turning on their tap, get brown or orange water, or no water at all!
And, as if all these were not enough, extreme weather events such as floods and droughts are becoming more and more frequent and unpredictable, devastating already aged and ill-maintained water and wastewater/sewage infrastructure.
This toolkit is dedicated to all community efforts to build water resilience in Harlan County. It is the second of a series of toolkits that LiKEN is developing to support community engagement and collaboration, as Appalachian communities are walking their own path towards building water and climate resilience. Our first toolkit is our Community Engagement Guide, which is created especially for people seeking to improve their water and wastewater systems - especially addressing issues that arise from increasing extreme weather events - no matter what level of knowledge or involvement they have.
This toolkit is designed to help you:
All these are critical for surviving a water crisis, whether it is sudden or slowly occurring. Both can be equally troublesome. This knowledge is also critical for building water resilience in your own community in order to withstand future water crises.
This toolkit is dedicated to all community efforts to build water resilience in Harlan County. It is the first of a series of three toolkits that LiKEN is developing to support community engagement and collaboration, as Appalachian communities are walking their own path towards building water and climate resilience.
See also LiKEN's Community Engagement Guide.
In what follows, you can find information about what is in the toolkit, who created it and who it is for, why it is important, and how you can navigate this website. To read the answer to any question, all you need to do is to click on the drop-down arrow for each question. Words in the glossary are linked when they appear in the text, and are indicated by an underline.
What is in the toolkit?
What is in the toolkit?
In this Water Resilience Toolkit, you can learn the basics of how water is brought to your home and returns back to your environment. You can find out about the different types of water sources and water systems of Harlan County, and what stresses or even hinders their operation; what are the types of water pollution and how rising temperatures and extreme weather events impact water systems. Also, who is in charge of the water quality of water, which are the responsibilities of those in charge, as well as the responsibilities of water ‘customers’, either businesses or households. Also included is information on who to call and what to do when something is wrong with your water, and what to do in case of climate-related water and wastewater emergencies.
Who created this toolkit?
Who created this toolkit?
This toolkit was created by Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), a non-profit organization based in Kentucky. LiKEN connects local knowledge with specialized expertise to support and empower communities and community organizations, as they build economic futures based on local assets, common values and shared visions.
This toolkit was developed based on ongoing community-engaged research, including more than two years of deep listening to community voices, paying attention to those most exposed to water risks (2022-2024). It was produced in the context of the Water Collaboratory and the research project “Water Climate Equity”, conducted by LiKEN, in collaboration with Rural Communities Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and Pacific Institute (PI).
The contents of this toolkit were formed through a process of knowledge sharing and collaboration between LiKEN, citizen groups and water-related networks, as well as with LiKEN’s research partners (PI and RCAP).
Who is the toolkit for?
Who is the toolkit for?
This Water Resilience Toolkit is for everyone! It may be used by community leaders, members of water boards and city councils, people who make decisions on community water and sewage systems in Harlan County. But most of all, it is intended for residents and community members, whose power to direct these decisions lies in their collaboration, their mutual learning and collective action.
Why is it important?
Why is it important?
The Water Resilience Toolkit builds on local knowledge as well as on expert knowledge to respond to concerns and questions voiced by community members during two years of listening sessions organized by community journalists and community engagement coordinators trained by, and working for, Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN).
Knowledge is power. And this power is crucial, especially now, as federal and state funding is prioritizing historically under-served rural and urban communities. It is important that communities have a say in the design and implementation of plans to be developed through funds dedicated (or being advertised as dedicated) to the improvement of the nation’s water infrastructure. Communities and local residents have valuable, first hand knowledge to contribute, and have a direct stake in fair and affordable water and sewage service. When communities are ‘at the table’ when decisions are being made, they can help craft solutions that really work and are truly equitable.
As the country faces an unprecedented wave of water-related challenges —ranging from increased flooding to drought— communities are responding by coming together, as they always have, to support one another and tackle these crises. The resources in this toolkit are important for such collective efforts. Informed communities can build bridges of shared knowledge, laying strong foundations for collaboration between residents, nonprofit organizations, scholars, and government agencies. Staying informed is key to not just reacting to disasters, but to creating long-lasting solutions.
How can you navigate this Toolkit?
How can you navigate this Toolkit?
The Water Resilience Toolkit is organized around questions for quick reference and quick access to vital information when needed, or in case of emergencies.
On the upper left side of the site, there is a main menu where you can navigate to the main questions/sections. Once you are in a section, there are a series of questions followed by answers. At the end of most sections, there are some sources listed for those interested to take a deeper dive into the topics covered.
In the answers provided, you will find some words or phrases which are underlined. When clicking on them, you will be either taken into the “Glossary” section of the toolkit, or to an external web-page, where you will be able to find more information.
At the end of this toolkit you will find a collection of “Directories & Resources” for quickly finding contact information (addresses, telephone numbers and emails) of water providers and utilities, local, county, regional, state and federal agencies and offices.
Page updated
Report abuse