Center for Watershed Science and Education Community Well Testing Programs and Outreach
Assisting rural residents and communities with managing their drinking water
Our community-based well water testing and Water WELLness education programs are organized in collaboration with our Wisconsin community partners to:
- Provide a convenient opportunity to have private wells tested for common health-related contaminants and aesthetic concerns (ex. taste, color, and odor)
- Educate participants about local groundwater quality and the water safety of individual homeowner wells
- Collect baseline data on well water quality in the Town, Village, Watershed, Lake District, or other region where the testing was offered
What we do
Work with community partners to:
- Establish program goals and timeline
- Develop an advertising and recruitment strategy
- Facilitate water testing logistics with the Water and Environmental Analysis Lab
- Deliver well water test results and interpretive information to participants
- Provide a follow-up Water WELLness education program
We work in coordination with our community partners to ensure an efficient, successful, and educational well water testing program for participants and the community.
Organizing a Well Water Testing Program
Programs are commonly organized in partnership with county staff (Extension offices, land conservation departments, health departments, etc.) or local governments at a town level. However, we have worked with other organizations (ex. lake districts/associations, farmer-led watershed groups, etc.) as well.
Participation is voluntary and costs of well sampling are usually the responsibility of the participants. While not necessary to organize a successful program, some communities have designated funding or obtained grants to offer reduced cost or free testing to participants.
What is a Water WELLness Education Program?
Water WELLness educational programs are designed to empower individuals relying on private well water to make well-informed decisions about managing their water supply–and their health. Attendees of a program will also have the opportunity to ask a Groundwater Specialist questions about their results, wells, and groundwater quality in the area. Programs are open to all members of the public.
The primary topics reviewed in a Water WELLness presentation include:
- Groundwater Basics: where does well water come from?
- Understanding individual test results
- General groundwater quality in the geographical area the program was held
- Well construction and how it influences water quality
- Ways to improve well water quality
How to get started
Schedule a consultation with our outreach specialist to:
- Determine your goals for the well testing program
- Help design your program
- Discuss pricing and sample packages that will be offered
- Set a date and determine a project timeline
Contact Cayla Cavey at (715) 346-2229 or ccavey@uwsp.edu to schedule a consultation.
Please plan ahead, programs are most successful when they begin planning at least 6 months in advance.