Struggle To Access Clean Water On Navajo Nation Exacerbated By Coronavirus Pandemic

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 - 12:33pm
Updated: Monday, July 27, 2020 - 2:32pm
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Emma Robbins, director of the Navajo Water Project.
Coverage of tribal natural resources is supported in part by Catena Foundation

Clean running water on the Navajo Nation has been an ongoing challenge for decades. Money and infrastructure are two of the significant obstacles. The Navajo Water Project was started in 2016 as a way to put a dent in the problem, and it has helped by installing running water systems in 300 households so far.

But the COVID-19 pandemic has upped the difficulty, because with less access to clean water, fewer people are able to wash their hands on a regular basis and slow the spread of the virus.

The Show spoke with Emma Robbins,  director of the Navajo Water Project, for a progress report on the challenge of accessing clean water on the Nation.

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