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Newsletter #116 for August 2025
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Private Well Conference 2025
Video Recordings Are Now Available |
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In May of this year, we hosted our first in-person Private Well Conference since 2019 in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. The conference served as a national workshop that united the private well community and emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnerships.
All of the educational sessions were recorded and are now available to view for free on our YouTube channel!
These presentations were specifically geared for well practitioners. Speakers provided information and insights to be taken home and used locally with individual well owners. Most outreach and education work with well owners is done on a local scale, and this conference supports the thousands of professionals who work with well owners every day — from health department staff, EHPs, drillers, and beyond. This was the fifth national Private Well Conference we have hosted since 2017.
Click below to view the presentations in YouTube playlist format, or click here to read more at our website! |
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Visit the Private Well Class Team at the Illinois State Fair and Farm Progress Show This Month |
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For our fellow Illinois residents: We have two in-person outreach events coming up this month! You can visit us at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, and the Farm Progress Show in Decatur.
At the state fair, we will be in Conservation World — We’re scheduled to be there 10am-7pm from August 8-10 and 15-17. At the Farm Progress Show, we will be present all three days of the show, August 26-28.
At both events, we’ll have information about our outreach programs, as well as our groundwater flow and private well pump models to educate and entertain all visitors. We’re looking forward to seeing you! Follow the links below for more information and to buy tickets for these events. |
| Illinois State Fair » |
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| Farm Progress Show » |
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SepticSmart Week Is Happening Next Month! |
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What are you planning to do to commemorate SepticSmart Week (Sept. 15-19) next month? Communities, national organizations, local groups, and governments come together to bring attention to the importance of caring for and maintaining septic systems through homeowner education and public outreach.
Now is the time to start planning if you haven't already. You can peruse the SepticSmart Week page at the EPA, or check out these particular (free!) resources we recommend for reaching and educating homeowners:
We would also recommend everyone to encourage their local government leaders to sign an official SepticSmart Week Proclamation. You can find links to different proclamation templates for governors, mayors, and tribal/community leaders at the EPA webpage! |
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From the Tap Talk Archives:
TT004 – The Problem With Springs |
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For this month's dive back into our Tap Talk archives, check out our episode, featuring Judy Manners, then an Environmental Health Specialist at the Tennessee Department of Health! Judy talked with Steve and Jennifer about springs, which can be safe private drinking water sources if they are protected, tested, and treated when necessary. Judy also talks about the lessons learned in communicating with those who believe their water source is safe. |
| 🎧 Listen here 🎧 |
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From the Help Center |
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Can an earthquake affect my well?
If you have recently experienced an earthquake, or are just looking for information to help be prepared for one, read about the impact quakes can have on water wells in this article at our Help Center!
For additional articles and resources for private well owners, explore our Private Well Help Center. |
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Upcoming Webinars & Recent Recordings |
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Is My Water Safe to Drink? -
Common Questions about Private Wells
August 5, 2025 | 1 PM CT
Hosted by PrivateWellClass.org
Drinking water wells don't have to be a mystery! This webinar will answer common questions such as how to get well water tested, how to take care of a well, and signs of a well's susceptibility to contamination.
Register »
We would love your support in distributing this information. Please feel free to share this link. |
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What Real Estate Professionals Need to Know about Homes with Well Water
September 3, 2025 | 1 PM CT
Hosted by PrivateWellClass.org
In this free webinar training, learn about what real estate agents should know when selling homes with private wells, including well water quality, how wells work, and other basic well information.
Register »
We would love your support in distributing this information. Please feel free to share this link.
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4-Hour Workshop: Private Well Assessment and Outreach for EHPs
September 24, 2025 | 12 PM CT
Hosted by PrivateWellClass.org
This 4-hour online workshop covers the use of our assessment tool for the evaluation of private well vulnerability to contamination and best practices for well owner outreach. Participants will learn private well fundamentals, how to assess a private well using the assessment tool, how to effectively engage private well owners, how to develop a program for outreach to well owners, and best practices for managing a well owner program.
Register »
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Septic Systems 101
Recorded on July 9, 2025
This webinar instructed on septic system management as part of a larger strategy to protect water in private wells. Using best practices to maintain septic systems keep them in proper working order and prolong their operational life.
Watch Recording » |
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Well Care 101 -
What You Need to Know to Protect Your Family
Recorded on June 12, 2025
This webinar recording features answers to questions about water quality, caring for private wells, and best practices to protection water supplies from contamination. Learning the basics of well care helps protect families' health.
Watch Recording »
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Amid PFAS Fallout, Maine Residents Navigate Medical Risks
Undark
In the latest investigation of PFAS in well water, well owners in Maine recount to Undark how blood tests and helpful medical advice is difficult to find as they become more aware of the risk of high exposure to forever chemicals. Environmental health professionals in Maine and beyond are working to improve the medical knowledge and services available for those exposed to PFAS from groundwater, who are often near sites such as military bases, fire training areas, landfills, or factories.
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| Read here » |
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Bill Will Correct Glaring Safety Concerns Around Well Water
Telegram & Gazette
Massachusetts is still working to pass state legislation to set minimum water quality standards for private wells, an effort that is championed by the advocates in the Coalition for Safe Drinking Water. Last month, State Sen. Jamie Eldridge and RCAP Solutions President Brian D. Scales authored a guest column in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in support of the legislation, S.585/H.900.
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| Read here » |
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Partner Events & Workshops |
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Home Water Treatment Basics
August 6 | 1 pm ET | Online
Hosted by Penn State University Extension
In their next Water Wednesday session, join Penn State Extension as they break down common water treatment methods and provide practical guidance to help choose the system that best fits a household's needs. Whether dealing with hard water, contaminants, or taste issues, this presentation will equip attendees with the knowledge to make confident, informed decisions about home water quality.
Register here. |
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Virginia 2025 Drinking Water Clinics
August 6 & August 18 | Various locations
Hosted by the Virginia Household Water Quality Program & Virginia Cooperative Extension
The yearly Virginia Household Water Quality Program drinking water clinics began for 2025 on July 9, and will continue to be held in numerous cities and counties through November 19. 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. |
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Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Concepts + Procurement Process
August 7 | 9 am ET | Online
Hosted by RCAP Solutions
This online training provides an overview of basic onsite wastewater treatment systems concepts, including anaerobic and aerobic processes. Special attention will be given to septic tanks and aerobic treatment units (ATUs) that are most common in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The training will also provide recommendations on the process of acquiring new systems, including the procurement process, most frequent steps, price requests, contracting, and selection.
Register here. |
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Homeowners Decentralized: An Overview of Final Treatment
August 12 | 12 pm CT | Online
Hosted by the Midwest Assistance Partnership
This webinar will go over the final step in the onsite wastewater treatment process. Since the final step in the onsite wastewater treatment process can be just a little different for each individual system, an overview of common final treatment designs and methods will be covered along with a more detailed discussions about subsurface and soil treatment. This webinar will be beneficial to homeowners, renters, and other stakeholders that are interested in increasing their knowledge of onsite wastewater systems.
Register here. |
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Decentralized Wastewater 101
August 12 | 9 am CT | Online
Hosted by Communities Unlimited
Homeowners, technical assistance providers, and any other interested parties should attend this training as it will cover the various types of decentralized wastewater systems and how they work.
Register here. |
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Septic System Operation and Maintenance
August 14 & September 2 | 1 pm CT | Online
Hosted by Communities Unlimited
These two training sessions for homeowners, septic installers, and decentralized wastewater operators will cover the different components of a septic system and their maintenance needs.
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Tsunamis: Water Quality
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This guide from the CDC explains how tsunamis can affect water quality, and residents in an area affected by one should do in order to avoid contaminated water and ensure the safety of their drinking water. Different types of wells can be affected in different ways, but generally speaking, they should all be disinfected in the wake of a tsunami.
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| View the factsheet » |
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Featured Video:
As PFAS Contamination in Twin Cities East Metro Spreads, Hundreds of Wells Flagged
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This video, brought to you by Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, covers the proliferation of toxic PFAS (or forever) chemicals in the Twin Cities east metro area water supplies, much of which was generated over decades by the Minnesota industrial conglomerate 3M. Fox 9 has also conducted a lengthy investigation of 3M's PFAS contamination across the world, and released the news documentary "Everywhere & Forever: Blood. Water. And the Politics of PFAS."
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| Watch the video » |
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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. |
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Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, United States |
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