Community-Based Participatory Geographic Information Systems: Informing a Long-Term Drinking Water Research Collaboration

This study introduces the concept of community-based participatory geographic information systems (CBPGIS), a novel integration of community-based participatory research (CBPR) and participatory geographic information systems (PGIS) research methodologies. The CBPGIS approach is unique from CBPR and PGIS applications because it integrates human and organizational theory to build trust and sustain team dynamics. It also leverages local spatial knowledge from community stakeholders at every stage of the research process, emphasizing the need for coproduction of geospatial knowledge to inform products and deliverables that support long-term research collaboration. CBPGIS can foster equitable town–gown research collaborations by intentionally involving academic and community stakeholders to coproduce community-informed research priorities and solutions that could inform interventions and policy changes. To facilitate immersive student town–gown research experience, learning outcomes, and a sense of community belonging, we adapted the geospatial technology model by integrating community engagement and academic research competencies to develop the CBPGIS research competency model. Furthermore, using a statewide case study, we identified the critical need to coproduce a geospatial community water systems (CWS) service area boundary geodatabase to support drinking-water-related infrastructure and public health needs. We demonstrate how the CBPGIS approach was used to obtain spatial data, which are often scant or missing in a study area (e.g., rural areas). The CBPGIS approach ensured trust was established with local spatial knowledge stakeholders to obtain the necessary information to coproduce 97 percent of the CWS service area boundary data for populations of 3,300 or less; only nine U.S. states have comparable data at this level.