The Portsmouth community has a long history of industry and military activity, including designation of numerous Superfund sites in the area. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently working on remediation of a Superfund site (Peck Iron and Metal Superfund Site that lines the water ways. While the community knows that you “don’t eat the fish”, there is concern about potential impacts the numerous Superfund sites and infrastructure issues are having on water quality in the community.
The project team will work with a scientist to do baseline water quality sampling and develop a standard operating procedure for ongoing water quality monitoring and potential water pollutant mitigation pathways, in addition to training/educating community members on water sampling. The community is committed to improving public health and securing affordable, safe drinking water for residents. This project will empower residents with a clearer understanding of potential water contaminants, ultimately supporting a healthier community and safer access to clean drinking water.
For more information on the issues surrounding this region:
The Young People’s Guild Foundation, founded by Joyce Tasby, is a grassroots organization in coastal southeastern Virginia, serving communities facing environmental, economic, and social challenges. This area includes Portsmouth, a small city of approximately 100,000 people with a history of industrial and military activity along its waterways. The region has been burdened by toxic pollutants like lead, mercury, asbestos, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These pollutants pose serious health and environmental risks, particularly for residents in vulnerable neighborhoods. Portsmouth is considered a Justice40 town, facing well-documented issues such as legacy pollution, historic underinvestment, proximity to hazardous waste facilities, and low literacy levels.
Caption: Map by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. Multiple tracts within the Portsmouth are Justice40 communities.
Joyce Tasby and The Young People’s Guild represent a coalition of local leaders, pastors, educators, and city councilors advocating for historically underserved communities. A key priority for them is addressing the health risks associated with legacy pollution and potential infrastructure issues, such as aging pipes that may introduce contaminants like lead into the water supply. In partnership with Thriving Earth Exchange, the community is exploring innovative, cost-effective approaches to better understand water quality issues and raise awareness about potential contaminants. Through education and resource sharing, the group is working to empower residents to improve water safety awareness in their homes, ultimately aiming to foster a healthier and more resilient community.
The community would like to establish a reliable local water quality monitoring system and share the findings of water quality sampling with Portsmouth residents, empowering them to understand and address local water safety issues. This effort will enable the community to take proactive steps toward clean drinking water, resulting in improved public health, reduced exposure to potential pollutants, and heightened awareness of environmental justice issues.
To advance this priority, we will work with a scientist to conduct baseline water quality sampling across key sites within Portsmouth. Using this data, we’ll develop a standard operating procedure for ongoing community-led water quality monitoring, focusing on identifying contaminants like lead, mercury, and PCBs. Community members will receive training on water sampling and understanding test results, building local capacity for environmental stewardship.
This project involves Portsmouth residents, the Young People’s Guild Foundation, local leaders, and environmental scientists, with support from the Thriving Earth Exchange. Key stakeholders include educators, pastors, city councilors, and other advocates dedicated to addressing legacy pollution and ensuring equitable access to clean water. We will produce a comprehensive baseline water quality report, a community-friendly summary of findings, and an accessible, easy-to-follow water testing guide. These resources will be shared with residents and local leaders, equipping them with actionable knowledge about water contaminants and mitigation options.
The community will benefit from a better understanding of local water quality, empowering them to make informed choices to protect their health. Additionally, by raising awareness and sharing resources, the project will support a safer and healthier living environment. This initiative will create lasting change by fostering community-led environmental awareness, resilience, and advocacy in Portsmouth. It will also serve as a model for other Justice40 communities facing similar challenges, contributing to broader environmental justice efforts and scientific engagement with vulnerable populations.
Community training on water sampling and result interpretation
Joyce Tasby, has spent decades advocating for environmental justice in her community. Growing up in the Portsmouth area of Virginia near industrial sites that would later be designated Superfund sites, she witnessed firsthand the harmful effects of pollution on her community. In 1977, Joyce founded The Young People’s Guild School of Performing Arts, which later expanded its mission through The Young People’s Guild Foundation to address environmental and social justice issues in underserved neighborhoods. Through her leadership, the Foundation educates residents on the impacts of industrial contamination and advocates for change, while continuing to provide scholarships and opportunities in the performing arts. Joyce has been a vital force in engaging the community through town halls, civic meetings, and cultural events like the annual Black History Trailblazer’s Sidewalk Parade. Her work reflects her deep commitment to both the arts and the well-being of the Hampton Roads region.
Ashley Knoch is a dedicated conservation scientist with a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Oklahoma State University. She’s passionate about using research to explore how people interact with the environment and applying that knowledge to foster positive conservation behaviors. Ashley has an extensive background in developing E-STEM curricula and leading outreach programs that connect diverse audiences to environmental issues. She has a particular love of bugs and invertebrate conservation. With a love for both research and education, she is committed to making a meaningful impact in conservation and inspiring others along the way.
Scientist Role
We are looking for a scientist to 1) Develop a survey design for the Portsmouth community to assess what pollutants community members may be exposed to via drinking water and flooding 2) Develop a SOP for community members to survey and test water quality at home 3) Educate and engage community members to ensure thorough understanding of local water quality issues and pathways for future mitigation
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
Thriving Earth Exchange asks all scientific partners to work with the community to help define a project with concrete local impact to which they can contribute as pro-bono volunteers and collaborators. This work can also position the scientists and communities to seek additional funding, together, for the next stage.
This project is supported by an entire community of people within Portsmouth, including the Young People’s Guild Foundation. You can learn more about the group and the work they do at the links below:
https://youngpeoplesguild.weebly.com
https://anthropocenealliance.org/the-young-peoples-guild-foundation/
Anthropocene Alliance is the nation’s largest coalition of frontline communities fighting for climate and environmental justice composed of 70 communities in 22 states and Puerto Rico. They assist communities in understanding and addressing the impacts of flooding, water contamination, air pollution, and wildfires. The Anthropocene Alliance’s goal is to bring frontline communities together and amplify their voices so they can have safe, healthy, and equitable communities.
