Publications

Latino Housing and Health Report

September 2005 - The North Carolina Rural Communities Assistance Project surveyed 126 Latino individuals in two community health centers in eastern North Carolina during the summer of 2002. Survey participants were interviewed about their housing conditions, drinking water quality, and completed a self-assessment of health. This report describes the results of the survey and recommends strategies that service providers can develop to address the housing and health needs of the rural, Hispanic population in North Carolina. Download the report (PDF, 131K)

Considering the Alternatives: A Guide to Wastewater Management for Small Communities in North Carolina

February 1994 - This guide is intended to assist individuals and leaders in small towns and rural and suburban NC with understanding alternative and emerging wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal options. It describes planning strategies, financial requirements, environmental factors, legal constraints, and health and economic considerations related to wastewater management.

Considering the Alternatives: A Guide to Onsite Wastewater Systems in North Carolina

February 1994 - Instead of central sewer systems, small NC communities often rely on septic tanks and soil absorption system. When properly designed, installed, operated, and maintained, septic systems can provide excellent treatment of wastewater at comparably low cost. Though conventional septic systems successfully meet the needs of so many of our state’s households and communities, throughout North Carolina many septic systems are failing due to improper design installation, operation or maintenance and some land may be unsuitable for development of new conventional wastewater systems. Thousands of North Carolinians need access to appropriate alternative technologies where conventional facilities are not feasible. Innovative and alternative technologies are designed to conserve, reclaim or reuse water, recover energy, recycle resources and reduce costs. This guide describes some of the available alternative and emerging onsite wastewater technologies available to communities and households.