Mid-Atlantic Drinking Water/Master Well Owner Network

Need for support and resources Private water supply users areresponsible for: Routine testing to ensure safe water fordrinking and cooking Care and maintenance of system Solving water problems Often lack knowledge and resourcesto make well‐informed decisions Many wait until problem arises totake actionPhoto credits: Fenton Well and Pump; Penn State University

Overview of private water supplies Wells Drilled or bored Range from 20‐1000’ feetdeep Locate at least 100’ fromsources of contamination Casing, grouting, sanitary wellcap protect well from surfacewater contaminationWell capCasingGroutPhoto credit: A Guide to Private Water Systems in Pennsylvania: A manual for Rural Homeowners on theProper Construction and Maintenance of Private Wells, Springs and Cisterns; Rorrer Well Drilling, Inc.

Overview of private water supplies Springs Formed when the side of a hill,valley bottom or otherexcavation intersectsgroundwater Highly susceptible tocontamination Cisterns Collection and storage ofrainwater, often from rooftopPhoto credit: http://aquariuspump.com/springbox.aspx

The Master Well Owner Network (MWON) Train‐the‐trainer approach; based on Master Gardener model Initiated in Pennsylvania in 2003; Virginia in 2007with USDA‐CSREES Extension Education Grants Volunteers and extension agents complete1‐2 day training and commit to outreachRorrer Well Drilling, Inc.http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/h2o/bowen/underground_e.phphttp://finance.varolmak.com/2010/01/water-softener-revhttp://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/waiews-user-reviews.htmlter-conservation-tips-5-saversPhoto credit: Penn State University Topics covered: Groundwater Well construction and maintenance Land use impacts Water testing Conservation Solving water problems/treatmentBrine TankWater Softener(resin)

The Master Well Owner Network (MWON) MWON Volunteer expectations Complete training workshop Achieve 80% on post‐test Agree to try to reach 100 contacts over 2 years Volunteer only; cannot own or work for companydealing with private water supplies Many approaches for outreach One‐on‐one conversations Speaking to church or civic groups Booth at home shows or ag fairsPhoto credit: Penn State University

MWON Supporting ResourcesCooperative extension publicationsbrochureswebsites and online toolsvolunteer outreach resources:posters, groundwater modelsinstructionalvideosnewsletters

Drinking water clinics Offer drinking water testing and education toprivate water supply users Test result interpretation Recommendations for care of water systems Conducted by faculty and extension agents Over 10,000 participants regionally since 2004Photo credit: Virginia Tech, Delaware State University

Drinking water clinics: Selected impacts In Virginia: 20‐40% of samples in each county test positive for coliform bacteria 82% of participants will test regularly after participating in clinic Efforts to reach underserved populations including elderly and lowincome Clinic participants often become MWON volunteers In Maryland‐Eastern Shore Of 45 samples tested on Delmarva Peninsula, 66% tested positive for totalcoliform; 40% positive for E. coli 86% increase in knowledge on post‐test administered to clinic participants Half of participants never had water tested; Half believed water wastested once before

The Proven MWON modelInitial fundingDedicated state MWONCoordinatorCreate/adapt educationalresourcesRecruit, train,engage, andretain MWONvolunteers andextension agentsImpact:thousands ofprivate watersupply userseducatedExperienced MWONcoordinators mentornew coordinators

MWON Impacts700 volunteers andextension agents trained27,000+ educational contactsIn PA, 76% of MWONeducational contacts havetaken action to improve theirwater supplyIn VA, 30 MWON trainedextension agents haveconducted drinking waterclinics in 27 counties reaching1400 people since 2009.Photo credit: Virginia Tech

Recognition and Replication2006 Groundwater Protection Award2007 Universities’ Council on WaterResources Education andPublic Service AwardMWON model replicatedin the Southern RegionalWater Quality ProgramStephanie Clemens, PennsylvaniaMWON Coordinator, discussesMWON successes in 2007.Photo credit: Penn State University

PartnersUSDA‐NIFAMid‐Atlantic Water ProgramU.S. Geological Service EPA Region 3Penn State UniversityVirginia TechDelaware State UniversityUniv. of Maryland Eastern ShoreUniversity of DelawareUniversity of MarylandVirginia State UniversityVirginia Cooperative ExtensionPennsylvania Cooperative ExtensionMaryland Cooperative ExtensionVirginia Dept of HealthPennsylvania Dept of HealthPennsylvania Dept of Envt ProtectionDelaware Dept of Natural ResourcesCollaboration Pennsylvania of Groundwater 1862 and 1890 Assnland grant institutions critical toVirginia Water Well AssnMWON success!Delaware/Maryland Water Well AssnIndividual/private companies

USDA National Water Program SupportWithout funding from USDA these activitiescould not have been piloted andimplemented in the Mid‐Atlantic.The National Water Program played a criticalrole in the success of the MWON modelbeing replicated within and across regions.

Plans for the future…. Grant proposal under development to expand andstrengthen MWON in the Mid‐Atlantic region Development of online, continuing educationmodules: emerging contaminants septic system care and maintenance water quantity, etc. MWON model continually adapted to meetspecific needs of private water supply users ineach state

Adapting MWON to meet specific needsVA: Efforts to build publichealth componentinto MWON includeoffering continuingeducation toDepartment ofHealth specialists andreal estate agents tomaintain licensure.http://completewellbeing.com/article/water-borne-diseases/

http://www.wayneindependent.com/the_villager/x124624223/Restoring-fed-reg-of-gas-drilling-praised-booed;http://dearsusquehanna.blogspot.com/2010/08/whatchesapeake-claims-is-crock.htmlAdapting MWON to meet specific needsPA:Marcellus shalegas drilling andpotentialgroundwatercontaminationhave spurredhundreds to take newinterest ingroundwaterprotection

Adapting MWON to meet specific needsMD: Military BaseRealignment andClosing is resulting inmany new familiesmoving to Marylandcreating demand foroutreach about wellsand septic systemsto new private watersupply users.http://www.louisebeckproperties.com/buying-home-new

Larger implicationsPrivate wells are a conduit to groundwater: poormanagement may result in contamination of otherprivate and public suppliesPhoto credit: National Groundwater Association

Larger implicationsMWON education and outreach providesgroundwater protection for private and publicwater supply users!Photo credit: National Groundwater Association

Thank you!Erin James LingVirginia MWON Coordinatorwellwater@vt.edu540‐231‐9058Daphne PeeMid‐Atlantic Water Program Liaisondpee@umd.edu301 405‐5849http://omafra.gov.on.ca/