An Innovative Web-Based Initiative to Educate Homeowners with Private Wells

Homeowners in small communities and rural areas without a public water supply often lack appropriate understanding of best practices for managing, operating, and protecting their private well. In this new nationwide technical assistance and training initiative, funded by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), through a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, a step-by-step education framework has been developed to assist well owners and other stakeholders in understanding groundwater hydrology, well fundamentals, well care best practices, and finding assistance locally. It will also help well owners understand how to sample their well, how to interpret sample results, and what they can do to protect their well and source water from contamination. The program leverages web-based content, including video, an email newsletter, and social media marketing to reach and educate homeowners on this important health topic. Outreach to public health officials, well drillers and other stakeholders is a significant component of the project. The material will be freely available on the web and will be highlighted in a repeated series of three live web-based training events that provide well owners the opportunity to ask questions and get practical answers. The Illinois State Water Survey and the Illinois Water Resources Center, at the University of Illinois, have collaboratively developed the curriculum for this program, under contract with RCAP.