This document discusses building capacity to educate private water supply users in Virginia through two programs: the Virginia Well Owner Network (VWON) and the Virginia Household Water Quality Program (VAHWQP). VWON provides training to extension agents and volunteers on topics like groundwater hydrology, well construction and maintenance, and water testing. VAHWQP coordinates county-based drinking water clinics where homeowners can get water samples tested and learn about addressing any issues. The programs aim to increase awareness of water issues and responsibility for well owners who rely on private water supplies. Data shows the clinics are effective, with 70% of participants taking action after learning their water test results.

1. Building Capacity to Educate Private Water
Supply Users
The Virginia Well Owner Network and
the Virginia Household Water Quality Program

2. 2
How do we foster
understanding of and long
term responsibility for our
water resources?
http://geology.cwru.edu/~huwig/catalog/groundwater.html

3. Place-based GROUNDWATER Education?
3
Out of sight?
Out of mind?

4. What about GROUNDWATER Education?
4
1. Build awareness: What’s in YOUR water?
2. Outreach vs. Engagement
3. Place-based approach

5. Private Water Supplies in Virginia
5
 About 1.7 million people, or 22% of Virginians rely on wells,
springs or cisterns (USGS, 2010)
 Decrease in waterborne disease outbreaks overall since the
1980’s, relative INCREASE in outbreaks associated with
private water supplies (Craun, et al., 2010)
 Homeowners relying on private water supplies:
• Are responsible for all aspects of water system management
• Often lack knowledge and resources to effectively manage
• Usually don’t worry about maintenance until problems arise
Drilled well
Bored well
Roadside
Spring
Spring box
Craun, G. F., et al. 2010. Clinical Microbiology Reviews 23(3): 507–528.

6. What is the VAHWQP?
6
Established in 1989
County-based Drinking Water Clinics
• Coordinated with trained local Extension agents and volunteers
• Confidential and affordable
• Homeowners collect samples; samples analyzed at VT labs
• Interpretation Meeting: test results, interpretation and basic
information about maintenance and addressing problems
• 18,900 samples analyzed in 93/95 counties

7. Drinking water clinics
7
•Manganese
•Copper
•pH
•Total Dissolved Solids
•Sulfate
•Hardness
• Testing for :
• Total coliform
• E. coli
• Nitrate
• Fluoride
• Sodium
• Arsenic
• Lead
• Quantification of
bacteria
$50 per
sample kit

8. Virginia Well Owner Network (VWON)
8
• Adapted from PA MWON in 2007; mechanism for training
Extension agents (to conduct drinking water clinics),
volunteers and agency collaborators (VDH and DEQ)
• One-day training workshops held across VA; vary regionally
• Guest speakers: drilling companies and state agencies
• Topics include:
• Groundwater hydrology
• Proper well location, construction and maintenance
• Land use impacts /wellhead protection
• Water testing and interpretation
• Solving water problems/treatment

9. The Hydrologic Cycle

10. Physiographic Provinces of Virginia
10

11. Augusta County
11
KARST LANDSCAPE; LOTS OF AG
CARBONATE ROCK – LIMESTONE
HIGH CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN
SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER
SANDSTONE ON RIDGES
WELL WATER QUALITY TENDS TO
BE:
•HIGH IN MINERALS (HARD)
•BACTERIA AND NITRATE
•NEUTRAL PH
•POCKETS OF FE AND MN
Carbonate

12. Floyd County
12
Mountains of the Blue Ridge
Crystalline rock
Few fractures; affects quantity
Well water quality tends to be:
•Highly acidic
•Low mineral content and tds
•As a result, more likely to leach
metals (Pb, Cu) present in
plumbing into water supply
Crystalline

13. Northumberland County
13
UPPERMOST PENINSULA INTO THE
BAY
UNCONSOLIDATED SANDY SEDIMENT
WELL WATER QUALITY TENDS TO BE:
•DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON DEPTH
•SHALLOW – HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO
NITRATE AND BACTERIA
CONTAMINATION
•DEEP – PROTECTED, BUT HIGHLY
SALINE
sand

14. Communicating household water quality is
complex!
14 Photo credits: Penn State Univ., http://www.banthebagspdx.com/?p=283, USGS; http://www.clker.com/clipart-puzzle-pieces-2.html;
http://levahnbros.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/copper-pipe-leak/; http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-670/442-670.html
Local land uses
Surface activities
Hydrogeology
Well location
Well construction
Well maintenance
Water Treatment
Plumbing

15. 15
Sources of potential contaminants or
issues of concern
pH/corrosivity hardness
nitrate
fluoride
TDS
iron
manganese
sulfate
chloride
sodium
Surface water contamination: nitrate, bacteria
Source may be plumbing
materials or existing water
treatment device:
sodium
copper
lead
bacteria
Some are found in groundwater naturally,
or due to human activities on or below
ground:
well
Where a contaminant
comes from affects how
we can deal with it!
arsenic

16. VAHWQP status
 Since 2008:
 ~6000 samples analyzed serving ~14,200 people
 115 clinics held
 History
 Initiated in 1989 by Blake Ross; 12-16 counties per year;
retired in 2003
 USDA grant in 2007 (Benham) – revitalized VAHWQP
 USDA grant in 2011 (Krometis) – focus on rural underserved;
added metals and bacteria quantification; research component
 Now, program is relatively self-sustaining through VCE
 2015: clinics planned in 44 counties
 Cost of sample kits covers labor, analysis and supplies
16

17. Data highlights
 Type of private water system
 Wells average 25 years old (<‘92 regulations)
 > 80% of participants have never tested
water or tested only once
 Treatment devices
 Most common: water softener and sediment filter
 What’s in the water?
 73% exceed EPA public health or nuisance
standard
 44% total coliform positive; 10% E. Coli
present
 19% exceed lead action level in first draw
 24% pH outside recommended range

18. Key Partnerships
 Virginia Water Well Association
 WellCheck initiative
 Guest speakers, resources, technical assistance
 Federal and State Agencies – USGS, Va Dept of Health, Va
Dept of Environmental Quality
 Southeast Rural Community Assistance Program
 Research collaboration with faculty and grad students
 Bacteria source tracking
 Metals profiling
 Student involvement
 Arsenic risk model
18

19. What’s after water testing and education?What’s after water testing and education?
19
At the drinking
water clinic, they
told me my well
should look like
this ….but right
now it looks like
 this!

20. WellCheckWellCheck Network – July 2015Network – July 2015
Partnership between VAHWQP and VWWA (well drillers’ group)
Goal: Connect homeowners who want to learn more with licensed
well drillers who provide standard, easy to understand inspections.
•21 drilling contractors participating
•44 counties covered
•Any licensed driller can sign up

21. WellCheckWellCheck Future VisionFuture Vision
 WellCheck will be available across the state
 Homeowners see wells as an important system in their home
that needs care and maintenance.
 Routine well inspections become a common aspect of owning
a home with a well  improved well maintenance and water
quality
 Drilling contractors have another mechanism for keeping in
touch with clientele, and another income stream.
 Well inspections become a normal/required part of home and
property inspections during property sale.
21

22. Is it working?
Drinking water clinics: Intent to Act vs. Action
22
N= 500; RR=30% N= 1696; RR=34%

23. 23
N= 500; RR=30% N= 1696; RR=34%
Is it working?
Drinking water clinics: Intent to Act vs. Action

24. 24
N= 500; RR=30% N= 1696; RR=34%
• 70% took some action; 64% took more than one
• Action exceeded intent to act.
• No significant differences in action between folks with
different water quality issues (e.g., low pH vs. bacteria)
Is it working?
Drinking water clinics: Intent to Act vs. Action

25. Lessons learned
 Household water quality data is effective feedback, and
encourages people to make changes. Build trust!
 Building programs/relationships/partnerships takes TIME;
but the capacity built is well worth it!
 Model after existing programs with mentors
 Seek grant $ to initiate new program directions and build
demand; create plan to sustain
 Critical evolution: constantly seek to improve, engage new
partners, look for opportunities
 Refresh approach and resources regularly
 Reach your audience where they are! Take time to find out.
25

26. Erin Ling (wellwater@vt.edu)
Brian Benham (benham@vt.edu)
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering / Virginia Cooperative Extension
www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu email: wellwater@vt.edu
ph: 540-231-9058