In the heart of Reserve, — a community that has long been nicknamed “Cancer Town”—lives Mary Hampton. The grandmother, with a wide smile and infectious laugh, has had roots in Reserve for generations. The land she calls home was gifted to her grandfather after he was finally freed from slavery. The property has continued to be passed down, and now, decades later, Mary and her extended family still live on the land. The environment around it, though, has changed.
“My father thought he was leaving a legacy when he left us this land,” said Mary. “But what he left us was a death sentence.” Mary has witnessed the death sentence take many of those closest to her. Three of her brothers, her daughter-in-law, and her son-in-law have all died from cancer. All lived within minutes of her in Reserve. Over the years, her community has become a hub of chemical plants, like the Pontchartrain Works facility. That facility emits large amounts of chloroprene, a hazardous chemical used to make synthetic rubber. It has raised significant health and environmental concerns for the community. As The Guardian reported in 2019, Reserve residents face the highest risk of cancer in the country, a staggering 50 times the national average. ProPublica called it a ‘Polluter’s Paradise.’
Mary has seen the impact of pollution on her hometown firsthand. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, chloroprene emissions above 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) are unsafe for humans to breathe throughout their lives. After setting up monitoring stations in Mary’s hometown, it was found that chloroprene emissions were dozens of times higher than the EPA’s guidance, suggesting that residents have been harmfully exposed for years.
Despite the health challenges and devastation her family has experienced, the grandmother has remained committed to staying in Reserve, LA, along with her extended family, all of whom share her determination to find a permanent solution. In the meantime, they struggle with options for clean water. More than just air quality or soil contamination–water scarcity and pollution are also a constant battle in this high-humidity region.
When our team at AERstream heard about Mary’s story and what was going on in Reserve, we knew we could help provide pure water, free of any chemicals. As part of our RV tour across the Southeast, our co-founders, Fred Maxik and Ran Zhou, delivered a
new AERstream GW to Mary and her family. The technology, which thoroughly impressed Miss Hampton, was designed to generate clean water in areas where traditional water supply is compromised. “I am so grateful for this AERstream machine,” said Mary, after using the GW Pro for a few weeks. “The water tastes great and my whole family enjoys it. We haven’t bought a single bottle of water since we plugged it in!” For Mary and her family, the AERstream GW is more than a machine; it’s a solution to the water crisis that has affected her community for years. It is also a reminder that water scarcity isn’t just an issue overseas or in drought-stricken areas. It’s a growing concern right here in the United States. Our work with Mary is another reminder that access to clean water is possible for every community—even those impacted by decades of industrial pollution and harm. The story of Mary’s family and the community of “Cancer Town” underscores the need to prioritize accessible, safe water solutions, no matter where people live.
Mary’s resilience inspires us, and her story strengthens our resolve to continue innovating in ways that bring clean, sustainable water to more communities. For too long, areas like Reserve, LA have been overlooked and left out of conversations around water security and safety. At AERstream, we’re proud to be part of the solution and make a difference in places that need it most–because every community deserves access to delicious, drinkable water. AERstream continues to hit the road; our team is traveling across the Southeast, meeting local communities, and distributing our cutting-edge clean water technology. From small towns to cities, we’re connecting with people and donating devices to households that need them most. Join us as we bring AERstream’s clean water solutions to your community—because everyone deserves access to life’s most essential resource.
Comments