Place Matters: Sociotechnical Approaches for Understanding and Addressing Tap Water Distrust in the U.S.
CME Department Seminar
April 9, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM America/Chicago
Presenter: Cristina Poleacovschi, PhD, Iowa State University
Location: ERF 1047
Abstract: Across the United States, trust in tap water is declining and bottled water consumption is on the rise. This trend is not experienced equally – racial minorities are more likely to distrust tap water and face broader challenges in water access. These national patterns reveal growing racial inequalities with some of the most severe forms of tap water distrust localized, as seen in rural communities living in Puerto Rico and Alaska. Why does tap water distrust persist, and how can this issue be more effectively addressed? Drawing on both national trends and community-based research, Poleacovschi created reliable and valid instruments for measuring water mistrust across the United States to provide better understanding of this complex phenomenon. Complementing this national research, Poleacovschi uses rich data with users from Alaska Native and Puerto Rican communities, to show both shared and distinct patterns in how communities interact with tap water. This research highlights a key take away – place-based solutions are essential for addressing water insecurity in marginalized communities. Poleacovschi provides an emergent framework that helps engineers and policymakers on the ground to develop place-based solutions. These findings also carry important implications for engineering education. Poleacovschi demonstrates that incorporating critical consciousness and civic education into engineering classrooms can be effective in educating responsible civil engineers who can address these complex issues.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Cristina Poleacovschi, an associate professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at Iowa State University, has conducted extensive research on user experiences with water insecurity and its implications to water utilities. Her work draws on theoretical frameworks, mixed- method empirical studies and experimental-based interventions. Recently, her work has expanded to include indoor environmental quality with a focus on sociotechnical interventions to address indoor air quality and energy burden. Her work has been funded by numerous grants from the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency. She has received prestigious awards for her work, including the National Academies Early Career Research Fellowship, Black & Veatch Building a World of Difference Fellowship, the Levitt Young Scholar Award, and multiple best paper awards in leading journals and conference proceedings in the field.
Date posted
Apr 2, 2025
Date updated
Apr 2, 2025