The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans was founded in 2017 in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the persistent challenges of urban water management. The organization has grown exponentially, but continues to advance its core mission—improving Southeast Louisiana’s relationship with water. In 2024, The Water Collaborative published a groundbreaking water quality study. The team tested close to 150 residential homes in New Orleans for lead- and copper-contaminated water and found lead contamination in 88% of homes tested. In a second residential water quality study, they tested homes for PFAS contamination across seven Southeast Louisiana parishes. The scope of both studies outpaces testing done by government agencies, highlighting the importance of independent, committed community organizations in the quest for better public health outcomes. Data-driven, the Water Collaborative advocates for better water quality policy and helps residents and families make educated decisions about their health.
Policy and Research Coordinator Taya Fontenette presents The Water Collaborative’s 2024 Water Quality Study. Source: TWC
Created as a grassroots group of concerned advocates in urban sustainability, the women-led organization has grown to serve nonprofits and charities, businesses and firms, government agencies and utilities, schools and educational groups, and the many intersections of water. In addition to championing community-driven policy, The Water Collaborative looks for innovative ways to engage with the community. The nonprofit pilots creative programs like the Brackish Artist Collective—an annual immersive education opportunity for local artists interested in expanding their knowledge of local water infrastructure and environmental challenges. This program birthed The Water Collaborative’s award-nominated podcast “Don’t Water it Down,” which features two alumni of the Brackish Collective. The team has also organized design competitions to address food insecurity in Louisiana’s indigenous coastal communities and developed programming to connect K-12 teachers and climate leaders – all in service of building a culture that can “live, thrive, and love water.”