Newsletter #105 for September 2024
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Successful Outreach for the Private Well Class
at the Illinois State Fair
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Our team had a wonderful time at the Illinois State Fair in August, demonstrating our groundwater and well pump models to kids and talking to homeowners about their private wells! We talked with nearly 600 groups, families, and individuals about the importance of caring for our groundwater and for private wells over the course of the fair.
We’re already looking forward to coming back to the fair next year and we have our fingers crossed for weather just as beautiful as this year’s. Special thanks to our Water Resources Outreach Specialist, Katie Buckley, for organizing another successful outing for our team at the state fair!
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SepticSmart Week Begins September 16!
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What are you planning to do to commemorate SepticSmart Week (Sept. 16-20) this 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!
Read more at the DecentralizedWastewater.org blog »
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Good News from Massachusetts:
Commonwealth Invests in MassDEP Study to Ensure Safe Drinking Water from Private Wells |
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Despite the fact that over 500,000 residents of Massachusetts rely on private wells for drinking water, the Commonwealth has no statewide regulations to ensure that private well water does not contain harmful contaminants like PFAS, arsenic, radon, uranium, and more. RCAP Solutions and The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, as the Coalition for Safe Drinking Water, have been leading an effort for the past several years to protect and improve safe drinking water access for those who use private wells.
At the end of July, the Coalition scored a major victory when the FY2025 Commonwealth budget was signed by Gov. Maura Healey, containing dedicated funding for a study to be conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). The study will explore how to best ensure safe drinking water in private wells.
Read the full press release here »
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Is there funding available to help pay to put in a new well or to buy parts to repair my old one?
If you need funding to put in a new well or repair an existing one, there are options available. We can help you explore how to secure funds through loans and grants.
Read this article from our help center and watch the companion video to get started on the search for funding. To find additional articles and resources for private well owners, explore the rest of our Private Well Help Center.
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Upcoming Webinars & Recent Recordings
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What Real Estate Professionals Need to Know
About Homes with Well Water
September 26, 2024 | 1 PM CT
Hosted by PrivateWellClass.org
In this free webinar training hosted by The Private Well Class, you’ll learn about the water well issues that are important to homeowners, how to determine if well water is safe to drink, and what a homeowner needs to know about well care. There will be an opportunity to submit questions in advance as well as live on the webinar. The event will be recorded. | Register »
We'd love your support in distributing this information, please feel free to share this link.
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Groundwater and Well Construction 101
October 30, 2024 | 1 PM CT
Hosted by PrivateWellClass.org
In this free webinar training hosted by The Private Well Class, you’ll learn about how water moves through the ground to your well and how well construction can increase contamination vulnerability. There will be an opportunity to submit questions in advance as well as live on the webinar. The event will be recorded. | Register »
We'd love your support in distributing this information, please feel free to share this link.
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Potential Impacts of Drought and Flooding on Private Wells
Recorded on August 27, 2024
This webinar recording discusses how to serve and support well owners, public health, and cooperative extension in the face of increasing drought and flood events. Viewers will also learn about the impacts of these drought and flood events.
Watch Recording »
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Septic Systems 101
Recorded on July 11, 2024
This webinar recording teaches about septic system management as part of a larger strategy to protect the water in your private well.
Watch Recording »
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Wells and Groundwater in the News |
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Pennsylvania will monitor private drinking water wells near the East Palestine train derailment site for 10 years
Environmental Health News
As a requirement of the settlement between Norfolk Southern and the US EPA following the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment and chemical spill in 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will monitor Pennsylvania drinking water wells within one mile of the accident site for a decade. Though in Ohio, East Palestine lies on the border with Pennsylvania, and it has also been found that toxic chemicals from the accident have spread to at least 16 states. The details of the water monitoring plan have not yet been finalized.
Read here.
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Partner Events & Workshops
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Protect Your Groundwater Day
September 4
Hosted by WellOwner.org & the National Groundwater Association
Every year, WellOwner.org & NGWA ask communities to promote and protect their groundwater supply and this year urge you to focus these efforts in your own backyard. Protect Your Groundwater Day serves as an annual reminder for water well owners to test, tend, and treat their private water systems. NGWA encourages annual inspections of private water systems by certified water well contractors to ensure systems are operating correctly and producing safe and healthy water.
Find more info here.
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Well and Septic System Maintenance Before and After Storms
September 5 | 2 pm ET | Online
Hosted by the University of Florida
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
At the last of the UF/IFAS webinar series on private wells and septic systems, learn how to prepare your well and septic system for extreme weather conditions.
Register here.
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Texas Well Owner Network Water Screenings and Results Meetings
September 16-20 | South Plains
September 23-24 | Calhoun, Jackson, Matagorda Counties
Hosted by the Texas Well Owner Network
The Texas Well Owner Network will host low-cost water well screenings for homeowners. Water samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity, and arsenic (in some counties).
South Plains info || Calhoun/Jackson/Matagorda info
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Drinking Water Contaminants
September 18 | 1 pm ET | Online
Hosted by University of Maryland Extension
Both public and private well water supplies may contain minerals, metals, etcetera, that can cause either aesthetic or health concerns. In this webinar, common contaminants and their treatment will be presented.
Register here.
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Coliform & Wells: A Private Well Stakeholder Training
September 23 | 11:30 am CT | Online
Hosted by the Midwest Assistance Program
This training will assist private well stakeholders by providing them with an understanding of coliform bacteria associated with private drinking water wells.
Register here.
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MS - Septic System Operation and Maintenance Basics
September 24 | 6 pm CT | Online
Hosted by Communities Unlimited
Join Communities Unlimited to acquire valuable insights and practical knowledge for keeping a septic system in excellent condition. Participants will learn about the different components of a septic tank, the purpose of drain fields, and the overall function of the system. Septic system failure will also be addressed.
Register here.
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Per/Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Monitoring in Private Water Wells
September 25 | 12 pm ET | Online
Hosted by PennState Extension
In this one-hour webinar, PennState Extension will present findings from recent private well monitoring studies in Pennsylvania and discuss existing treatment technologies to lower PFAS exposure in impacted drinking water sources. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for questions and discussions.
Register here.
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Managing Household Wastewater: An Environmental Self-Assessment for Homes with Private Wells
Mississippi State University Extension
This document, from Mississippi State University Extension, helps to evaluate conditions around a home that could threaten drinking water quality, particularly homes with private wells and septic systems. Completion of the assessment can also help to identify activities that could lead to problems with septic systems and/or water quality.
View the document, and read the introductory information and instructions.
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Featured Video:
SepticSmart Week Quick Tip Video Compilation |
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This video, brought to you by the U.S. EPA, combines all seven SepticSmart quick tips into one video. The quick tips are: Think at the Sink!, Don't Strain Your Drain!, Keep It Clean!, Shield Your Field!, Protect It and Inspect It!, Don't Overload the Commode!, and Pump Your Tank!
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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Visit our other websites:
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Click here to unsubscribe | Sent to: _t.e.s.t_@example.com
Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, United States
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