Erin James Ling

Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training

Conducting a Drinking Water Clinic

OverviewPlanning for and conducting a clinicReporting outcomes and impacts

Agent evaluation formFollow-up survey of clinic participants

Working with volunteersFinancial assistance for underserved

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2008-12 Clinic Stats2558 samples analyzed43 clinics in 47 counties$7000+ donations and scholarships contributed

Farm BureauSoil and Water Conservation DistrictsCounty Private Companies – water treatment, testing labsLocal RC&DVirginia Water Well Association

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The DWC Agent PacketAvailable at www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu Includes

Information about planningTemplates for advertisingRegistration list templateDetails so you can answer participant questionsEvaluation formCopies of presentations from this training and

Interpretation Meeting

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Basic Program

1. Kickoff Meeting

2. Sample Collection

3. Sample Analysis

4. Interpretation Meeting

Advertising

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8+ weeksConsider:

NewspapersFliersLetter to homeownersRadioHome/Ag Shows/Fairs

Seek donations or sponsorsAt this time, contact others to

participate:VDH Env Health SpecialistsLocal SWCD, NRCS, USGS

Prep for Kickoff Mtg

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Pre-registration Minimum of 35 participants Can combine counties

Notify coordinator of anticipated # participants (2 weeks prior)

Sample kits prepared at BSE water quality lab: Four sample bottles Questionnaire Sampling instructions

Sample kits and coolers shipped to you 1 week prior

Powerpoint presentation, notes and talking points provided

What’s in YOUR water?Drinking water clinicWells, springs and cisterns

123 Community DrNov 23, 2012

7 pm

Kickoff MeetingBrief presentation covering:

Common water quality problems in the areaResults/turnout from past drinking water clinicsHOW to collect a drinking water sampleWHEN to collect the sample and drop it offWHERE to drop the sample off

Consider handing out fliers with sample collection day, time and location

Distribute sample kits and collect payment

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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat will analysis include?

pH, hardness, chloride, fluoride, sodium, sulfate, nitrate, iron, lead, arsenic, manganese, copper, TDS, total coliform bacteria, E. coli bacteria

How many participants per clinic? Limit of about 200 per sample day Average of 60 per clinic in 2009-2012 – would like MORE!!

How much does it cost? $50. The same analysis a private commercial lab: $150-200. Priceless! We build in $5 per kit to cover your mailing and printing costs

How does payment/billing work? You collect payment from participants at the Kickoff meeting WQ lab will bill you for entire amount. Pay with TWO Interdepartmental Service

Requests (ISRs) through Hokie Mart – one for analysis, one for processing

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Sample Collection - ThemInstructions

Stress instructions must be followed carefully or results are not accurate

First draw and flushed samplesSampling “before” vs. “after” treatmentEach sample kit is an additional $50DAY and TIME sample is collected are very

important – bacteriological analysis must be done within 24 hours of collection

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Kickoff Meeting 101:‘First Draw’ vs. ‘Flushed’ samplesMetals like copper and lead are not usually found in

groundwater, but may be leached from pipes and other plumbing into your water.

If these metals are in your plumbing, water that has been sitting in your pipes for more than 6 hours will have the highest levels.

The sample bottle labeled FIRST (X on top) needs to be collected first thing in the morning, before any water has been used in the home.

Important!

1.Do not use any water in the home after 10 pm

2.Collect the bottle labeled “FIRST” with an “x” on the top FIRST, before running any water!

Kickoff Meeting 101: Water Sample Collection

Sample envelope contains:

3 large bottles

1 small bottle

Questionnaire

Sampling Instructions

Tips: Do not use water after 10 pm the night before! Choose a kitchen or bathroom (non-swivel) faucet. Do not remove cap until you are ready to collect

sample. Do not touch inside of sample bottle or cap. Make sure sink is clean and dishes are removed. Remove all screens, filters, or aerators from faucet. Collect FIRST (X on top) bottle first! Wash hands before collecting other samples.

Kickoff Meeting 101: Sampling Instructions

1. Read sample collections completely before collecting samples.

2. Do not run any water in the home after 10 pm the night before collecting

samples.

3. Remove any aerators or filters on the faucet.

4. Before ANY water has been used in the home, collect a sample in the bottle

labeled FIRST (X on top).

5. After collecting FIRST sample and replacing cap securely,

turn water on and wash hands thoroughly.

6. Allow water to run for about 5 minutes to flush out pipes.

Kickoff Meeting 101: Sampling Instructions (continued)

7. Adjust water flow to pencil-thin stream.

8. Collect one sample (fill one bottle) at a time.

9. Carefully remove the cap, and hold it while you fill the bottle.

10.Fill the bottle completely; do not allow it to overflow.

11. Replace and tighten cap securely.

12. Repeat with remaining two bottles.

13. If you are not immediately going to drop off your sample,

put in refrigerator or cooler.

Sample Collection - YouProvide ICE! About 20 lbs per cooler Collection day

Recommend ~7 am – 10 or 11 am collectionAll sample bottles are numbered. Same number on

the questionnaire. Ice samples immediately.Collect all questionnaires in envelopeMeet halfway between Blacksburg and your county at

predetermined location to transfer coolers to Water Quality Lab staff – details via email

Bring empty coolers and extra kits with you

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Sample AnalysisUs (BSE Water Quality People)

All samples analyzed for 15 constituentsReports compiled and printedMeasures to protect confidentiality – IRB approvalTakes a total of 4-5 weeks

You (Agents)Remind participants of Interpretation Meeting

day, time and location

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Interpretation MeetingConference call to go over results

and common questionsAt Interpretation Meeting

Distribute results to participants (only)PowerPoint presentation provided

Overview of results as a group Discuss what the numbers mean, compare to public standards Address eliminating possible sources of contamination Introduce treatment options

Answer questions Interpretation sheet and evaluation

form in envelope

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Evaluation and Follow-upFollow-up postcard for clinic participants:

Will you test water regularly?Will you change your behavior (e.g., reduce fertilizer

use around well, pump out septic, shock well)?Will you talk to others about your experience?

Lead agent feedback formErin will email – please complete and return

Statewide impact statement template

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Lessons Learned: AdvertisingBest approaches:

Farm Bureau NewsletterLocal newspaper column/feature article/press releaseDirect mailingWord of mouth

Best time frame Start 8 weeks out and intensify 4 weeks beforeMention pre-registration to avoid rush at end and not

enough sample kits

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Results of Participant Questionnaires32.4% response rate total (omits last 5 clinics)

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Which of the following measures have you taken or do you plan to take in the next year?

% respondents who ed

Seek additional water testing from a lab or info about your water quality 28.7

Determine potential source of a problem with your water 26.3

Pump out your septic system 18.7

Grade the area around your well or perform maintenance on your well 14.7

Reduce herbicide or fertilizer use around well or spring 10.2

Shock-chlorinate water system 22.6

Obtain a new water source 0.0

Purchase or rent water treatment equipment 13.2

Improve functioning of existing water treatment equipment 12.2

Use bottled water for drinking and/or cooking 12.4

Results of Participant Questionnaires32.4% response rate total (omits last 5 clinics)

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Do you plan to test your water quality regularly from now on? % respondents

who ed

Yes, annually 19.6

Yes, every few years 60.7

Maybe/Not Sure 10.4

No 2.4

Do you plan to discuss what you have learned about your water quality with any friends or neighbors?

% respondents who ed

Yes 80.7

No 19.3

Total additional people reached 1837

Average per participant 4

Lessons Learned: Message contentIndividuals responsible for care and

testing of own systems – not monitored like public systems

Importance of understanding what maintenance is required

Health effects of possible water quality issuesLow cost of testing for this opportunityAll results kept confidentialEmotion/health and safety-based

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Lessons Learned: Key Individuals and Groups to Involve/InviteLocal VAMWON volunteers!Master Gardener volunteersFarm BureauELCHealth DepartmentSoil and Water DistrictContact from local water testing labCounty Board of SupervisorsLocal RC&D Council

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Lessons Learned: Seek additional funding or sponsorships Farm Bureau

$5 per sample, $20 per sample for members

Soil and Water Conservation District$2 per sample$250 divided among attendees

RC&D Council $1000 divided among pre-registrants

Grant funding through FCS agent

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Working with volunteers56 volunteers trained Application at www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu

Interest; have well, spring or cisternNot affiliated with a water business

Volunteer expectations and policyAttend one-day training; minimum of 80% on post-testUnpaid, volunteer work onlyGeneral educational advice – no specifics!Willingness to try to educate 100 people

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Financial and Technical AssistanceVirginia Dept of Housing and Community Dev’t

(http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/HousingPreservationRehabilitation/default.htm) Emergency Home Repair Program Indoor Plumbing Rehabilitation Programs Livable Homes Tax Credit Virginia Lead Safe Homes Program Water/Sewer Programs

USDA Rural Development Housing Programs(504) (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/index.html) Very low to moderate income housing loans

for single or multi-family homes Grants for homeowners 62+ Rural rental housing loans

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Financial and Technical AssistanceSoutheast Rural Community Assistance Project

(http://www.sercap.org/programs/rc_facilities_dev.htm) Rural Communities Facilities Development Program (emergency

housing loans to low income families) Many resources for small community water and wastewater systems

SAIF Water Wells (Northern Neck) (http://www.saifwater.org/) Faith-based effort for safer drinking water for rural Virginians VALUABLE resources/brochures for less-educated homeowners Provide financial and technical assistance

What is available locally in your area??? Let

us know about it!

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Questions?

Discussion?