Virginia Household Water Quality Program and Virginia Master

Virginia Household Water Quality Program and Virginia Master Well Owner Network Erin James Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training October 29 -30, 2008 Harrisonburg Virginia

Welcome Thanks for coming! 17 Agents from 12 counties attending Today’s intro: Logistics Introduction Quick overview of this project: Virginia Household Water Quality Program and Master Well Owner Network On with the presentations! 2

Private Water Supplies in Virginia Majority of households in 60 of Virginia’s 95 counties rely on private water supply systems (> 1, 000 households) In 52 counties, the number of households using private wells is increasing faster than the number connecting to public systems (VADEQ, 2007) 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 3

VAHWQP History Established in 1989 County-based Drinking Water Clinics § Coordinated with local Extension Agents § Kickoff Meeting § Homeowners collect water sample § Samples analyzed at BSE Water Quality Lab § Analysis results and guidance for addressing problems provided to homeowner at Interpretation Meeting • 12, 000 samples from 82 counties collected so far • Water quality resource materials • 2003 budget cuts reduced program activity 4

VAHWQP Resource Materials 5

VAHWQP County Evaluation Reports Summarized drinking water clinic process Findings included: Profile of participants Descriptions of household water from participant surveys Information about sources of water (types, locations, proximity to potential water quality threats) General chemistry and bacteriological analysis results Results of follow-up survey Various county reports available online: http: //www. ext. vt. edu/resources/anrpublications. html#DEPT 52 CAT 44 6

Opportunity to revitalize the program USDA-CSREES competitive grant (2007 -2010) Goals: Create a network of Virginia Cooperative Extension agents and lay-volunteers trained in the proper design, management, and maintenance of private water supply systems (Virginia Master Well Owner Network—VAMWON). Use the VAMWON to educate home owners about the quality of their water and proper care and maintenance of their water supply systems Revise and write new water quality publications Outreach to underserved populations 7

Creating the VAMWON 1. 5 day training for VCE agents 1 day training for volunteers § Water testing and interpretation § Common pollutants § Proper well location, construction and maintenance § Drinking water standards § Groundwater hydrology § Residential water conservation § Private water system basics § Water treatment processes § Wellhead protection § Effective public education and § Land use impacts on ground water outreach methods quality and quantity 8

Pennsylvania Master Well Owner Network Initiated in 2004 Adapted from Master Gardener Program Train screened volunteers about water quality issues and proper location, construction, and maintenance of wells Volunteers agree to try to make 100 educational contacts annually 293 trained volunteers (in 61 of 67 counties) 15, 000 educational contacts to date Photo credits: Stephanie Clemens, PA Master Well Owner Network 9

VAMWON Responsibilities VAMWON Agents ◦ Conduct county-based drinking water clinics ◦ Educate local private water system owners VAMWON Volunteers can: ◦ Assist VAMWON agents with drinking water clinics ◦ Make presentations to church, service, and civic organizations ◦ Staff information booths at fairs, clinics, ag and home shows ◦ Maintain own water system as a good practices demonstration site ◦ Contribute to VAHWQP newsletter and website ◦ Share innovative education delivery methods with other agents and volunteers ◦ Assist with evaluating program impacts 10

Drinking Water Clinics Contact Erin to schedule – working on 2010 now Packet of materials for agent use online www. wellwater. bse. vt. edu Includes planning information, templates, etc. Schedule: Kickoff meeting Mon or Tue evening Sample collection same week Tue, Wed or Thurs Interpretation Meeting (evening) 350 participants max per clinic 11

Strengthening VAHWQP through VAMWON • Agents conduct county-based drinking water clinics • Agents better informed to address water quality concerns Sustaining relationships: building capacity to improve water quality Virginia Master Well Owner VCE Agents Private Water System Owners Virginia Master Well Owner Volunteers • Community-based outreach • Peer-to-peer education • Develop relationships through collaborative education and outreach • Continuing VAMWON training opportunities • Share innovative education delivery methods 12

Opportunities for PARTNERSHIPS Train: 70 agents and 240 volunteers Build Capacity: • Agents conduct county drinking water clinics • Agents and volunteers make educational contacts • Establish relationships • • • DEQ, VDH, VASWCD, EPA, VWWA Expanded programming (septic, etc. ) Information sharing Joint grant- writing opportunities Continuing education for VAMWON Revitalized! By 2010 Resources • • • Website Newsletter Water Quality Resource Expert Panel Updated VCE water quality publications VAHWQP Coordinator o Needs assessment and scheduling of clinics o Targeted programming for underserved populations o Support for agents and volunteers • 5, 400 + water samples analyzed • 1, 100+ underserved persons reached • 18+ drinking water clinics conducted • Establish capacity to continue providing drinking water clinics, education and outreach through VAMWON. 13