Name: Project Private Well Owner Education Households that maintain their own water supply system, such Background/Need for as a well or a rainwater collection system, do not fall under Project: the jurisdiction of the Safe Drinking Water Act. These predominantly rural households are responsible for the safety of their own drinking water supply. Accordingly, their informational need is significantly greater than their counterparts served by public water systems. Cooperators from the Land Grant universities and colleges that make up the Region 9 Water Program address informational needs at the consumer level by providing unbiased research-based information to the consumer through publication and outreach education. Private well owners in Arizona are responsible for the safety and quality of their drinking water. There are currently an estimated 95,000 domestic wells in Arizona which serve approximately 300,000 (5% of Arizona's population). These wells are not regulated by any state or federal agencies. Well water testing programs in Yavapai County have indicated elevated levels of nitrate and arsenic in private wells. Piloting in Arizona Kitt Farrell-Poe, Susan Pater, Jeff Schalau, Gary Woodard, Janick Artiola January 2007 December 2008 for the pilot project Project objectives: Produce new fact sheets and update previously published fact sheets using science-based information to assist private well owners in maintaining the safety and quality of their drinking water. The fact sheets will be a part of a series and packaged in pocket portfolios and will be available on-line, at county Cooperative Extension offices, and through workshops. Workshops for the public will be piloted in Cochise Yavapai and Counties using the publications/materials developed through the project. Workshop participants will learn about the components of the well system (casing, pump, pressure tank, etc.), and wellhead protection, and also be shown online resources such as SAHRA's Arizona Wells Database where users can locate monitoring wells across Arizona and how groundwater levels have changed over time. Project activities to date: Portfolio was developed and 1000 copies printed. Nine (9) fact sheets were developed for the first of two workshops. One workshop was conducted in early March 2008. Accomplishments/Findings: Of the 84 people who attended
Location: People involved: Started/ Expected end date: Brief project description:
Outcomes:
first pilot workshop, 40 people completed an exit evaluation. Thirty-four (34) found the 3-hour workshop "highly valuable, " five people increased their knowledge three steps, and twenty-one people increased their knowledge two steps. Plans for the future: Once the Private ...