Newsletter #124 for April 2026
|
|
|
|
|
Private Well Conference Registration Closes on April 20th
|
 |
|
|
If you are planning on joining us in Missoula this May, be sure to register for the Private Well Conference before it's too late! Registration
(along with the hotel block reservations) will close on April 20th. The full agenda is now available to view.
If you're still on the fence about joining us, here's everything you need to know about the Private Well Conference:
- Who: The conference is intended for private well professionals, including health department staff, lab personnel, cooperative extension educators, well drillers, environmental health professionals, researchers, technical assistance providers, and other private well stakeholders. Continuing education credit for EHPs through the National Environmental Health Association and the Illinois LEHP program will be available for attendees.
- What: The Private Well Conference is a 2.5-day in-person, single track workshop with over 25 half-hour presentations, a driller panel discussion, lightning talks, and most importantly — an opportunity to network with like-minded professionals!
- When: Tuesday, May 19, to Thursday, May 21, 2026.
- Where: Missoula, Montana, at the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown by IHG. There is a room block at the federal rate, which will close on April 20, 2026.
- How: Registration is free, but required.
As always, please contact us at help@privatewellclass.org or 866-945-0699 with any questions.
|
| More info »
|
|
|
| Register now »
|
|
|
| See the agenda »
|
|
|
| Reserve your hotel room »
|
|
|
| Transportation to and around Missoula »
|
|
|
Congratulations to the 2026 Pledge to Test Winner!
|
|
|
Congratulations to Heather M. from South Dakota!
Heather has been randomly selected as the winner of the 2026 PrivateWellClass.org Pledge to Test Campaign. Heather has been notified of her selection, which means she won a free Essential Well Water Test from TAP SCORE.
Additionally, everyone who pledged to test their well water this year can still take 10% off any well water test kit from TAP SCORE with the code: PLEDGE2026, until April 15.
Thank you to all who pledged to test their private well water this year! We had 142 people take the pledge from 36 different states. Stay tuned for next year's Pledge to Test campaign!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Request Free Copies of Our "Is Your Well Water Safe?" Brochure!
|
|
|
We are once again accepting orders for FREE copies of our "Is Your Well Water Safe?" brochures!
These brochures are appropriate for county and state health departments, laboratories, extension offices, technical assistance providers, and other well stakeholders.
Both English- and Spanish-language versions of the brochures are available. They are completely free, and are meant to provide basic guidance to well owners in addition to highlighting your programs as a partner to the Private Well Class.
You can request brochures at the form linked below. We expect to mail the orders later this spring.
|
| Request Brochures »
|
|
|
|
|
Tap Talk — Diving Into Biofilms With Water Quality Investigations (Part 1)
|
|
In the first episode of a two-part series, our Tap Talk team explores the world of biofilms in drinking water systems with guests Andrew Jacque and Emily Hefty-Dieckhoff of Water Quality Investigations. Andrew and Emily explain to Jennifer and Steve the fundamentals of what biofilms are, where they can be found both in water systems and naturally, and the health issues they can cause. In Part 2, we delve even further into the complexities of biofilms!
|
| 🎧 Listen here 🎧
|
|
|
From the Help Center |
|
|
What should a well owner know about water chemistry?
Learn what water chemistry is and how it plays a role the overall quality of well water in this article at our Help Center.
For additional articles and resources for private well owners, explore our Private Well Help Center.
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Webinars & Recent Recordings |
|
|
What Environmental Health
Professionals Need to Know about Wells
April 15, 2026 | 1 PM CT
Hosted by PrivateWellClass.org
This free webinar will provide an introduction to groundwater, well construction, water quality, and well care best practices for environmental health professionals and others who serve well owners.
Register »
We would love your support in distributing this information. Please feel free to share this link.
|
|
|
Groundwater and Well Construction
101
May 13, 2026 | 1 PM CT
Hosted by PrivateWellClass.org
This free webinar will address well construction, types of wells, the basic components of a well system, and water treatment options.
Register »
We would love your support in distributing this information. Please feel free to share this link.
|
|
|
Outreach Strategies for Working
with Private Well Owners
Recorded on March 4, 2026
This webinar answered questions such as how to effectively engage private well owners, how to develop an outreach program to well owners, and best practices for managing a well owner program.
Watch Recording »
|
|
|
Is My Water Safe to Drink?
–
Common Questions about Private Wells
Recorded on February 18, 2026
This webinar covered the answers to common well questions such as how to get well water tested, what to do to take care of a well, and if a well is susceptible to contamination.
Watch Recording »
|
|
|
|
|
Well water: CSU researchers examine private wells for possible contaminants
Colorado State University
Researchers at Colorado State University have been working in a partnership examining private wells for contaminants, in light of the lack of federal regulations on well water quality. They have found that many well users in Colorado do not test their wells frequently, even though well water often has high levels of bacteria, heavy metals, nitrates, and more than what is allowed in municipal systems. In addition, the CSU researchers are working in a pilot education and testing program for well users in Boulder County with their partners across the state.
|
| Read here »
|
|
|
|
|
Partner Events & Workshops
|
|
|
Virginia 2026 Drinking Water
Clinics
April 1, 15, 22, & 29 | Various locations
Hosted by the Virginia Household Water Quality Program & Virginia Cooperative Extension
The Virginia Household Water Quality Program drinking water clinics typically run from February to November each year. Covering about 70 counties, these clinics provide homeowners a chance to have their well water testing at a reduced rate.
Find the full list of dates, locations, and registration information here.
|
|
|
Iowa Private Well Stewardship
Program
April 1-28 | Various locations
Hosted by Iowa State University Extension
Iowa's Private Well Stewardship Program is an educational program in which private well owners learn about the responsibilities and risks of being a private well owner, and are connected to resources to manage their well. Attendees will be connected to both local experts and funding to safeguard their well, review the common contaminants found in Iowa wells, and discuss factors that affect well water quality.
Register here.
|
|
|
Solutions for Difficult Onsite
Wastewater Systems
April 7-9 | 8 am CT | Owasso, OK
Hosted by RCAP/Communities Unlimited/NOWRA
Communities Unlimited & NOWRA are hosting an in-person, no-cost training for engineers, designers, regulators, operators/service providers and others dealing with small community challenges. The goal is to provide the communities in need with the full range of options to resolve their wastewater treatment needs.
Register here.
|
|
|
Private Well Professional
Stakeholder Workshop
April 7 | 1 pm CT | Des Moines, IA
Hosted by Midwest Assistance Program
This workshop offers a look into water treatment certification and the organizations that provide certification with an interactive review of the online tools available to water well professionals and well owners.
Register here.
|
|
|
Private Well Testing,
Regulations, and More
April 15 | 9:30 am ET | Bloomington, IN
Hosted by Great Lakes Community Action Partnership
This workshop for professionals can provide insight into how and why a private well program can improve public health. GLCAP will cover considerations for testing, review examples of current Indiana regulations, and discuss how to establish a strong private well program.
Register here.
|
|
|
TN – Decentralized Wastewater
101
April 16 | 10 am ET | Live Online
Hosted by Communities Unlimited
This training offers the attendee with the knowledge of what a decentralized wastewater system is, its major parts and functions, and maintenance best practices. The training will also include examples of the various types of decentralized systems utilized for wastewater treatment.
Register here.
|
|
|
Operations and Maintenance
Training
April 21-23 | 8 am CT | Madison, WI
Hosted by RCAP/GLCAP/NOWRA
GLCAP & NOWRA will host this in-person training on septic system management, including O&M, monitoring, and troubleshooting. he course describes fundamental concepts of wastewater characteristics and treatment processes and illustrates the importance of periodic operation and maintenance to ensure longevity and optimal performance.
Register here.
|
|
|
Private Well: Disaster Recovery
Webinar
April 21 | 12 pm CT | Live Online
Hosted by Midwest Assistance Program
The purpose of this webinar is to assist stakeholders and well owners by providing them with post-emergency and disaster recovery guidance.
Register here.
|
|
|
Get Well-Informed
May 1 | 8 am CT | Various locations
Hosted by the Oklahoma Well Owners Network
The Oklahoma Well Owners Network (OWON) offers free water quality screening of household wells in collaboration with county extension offices and other partners. During scheduled testing events, Oklahomans can collect a water sample from their well and submit it for a free basic water test. The next set of scheduled events will take place on May 1 in 14 counties and one conservation district.
Visit this page for more information and sampling instructions.
|
|
|
|
|
Disinfecting Flooded Private Water Wells
Minnesota Department of Health
This document from the Minnesota Department of Health provides an overview of how to disinfect a flooded private well, including step-by-step instructions (applicable anywhere) and resources for well users in Minnesota specifically to get more information/help for disaster-impacted wells.
|
| View the document »
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Video: How a Water Well is Drilled |
|
|
|
This video, brought to you by the American Ground Water Trust, shows the step-by-step process of drilling a well, and additionally covers the processes of well construction and installing the equipment needed to maintain a safe water supply for a home on a private well.
|
| Watch the video »
|
|
|
|
|
PrivateWellClass.org is a free, grant-funded service to support private well owners and the professionals that work with these wells. The program seeks to raise awareness of private well issues and help well owners understand their responsibilities to be a good steward of their well and water source. The Private Well Class, developed at the Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a collaboration with the Rural Community Assistance Partnership with funding from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Call us at 1-866-945-0699 for assistance.
|
|
|
|
|
Visit our other websites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to unsubscribe | Sent to: _t.e.s.t_@example.com
Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, United States
|
|
|
