Learn about the responsibilities and risks of being a private well owner
The Private Well Stewardship Program will be offered in Howard, Winneshiek, Pocahontas and Humboldt counties this fall. The Private Well Stewardship Program is an educational program offered through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. It is a resource for Iowa’s 230,000 private well owners to learn about the responsibilities and risks of being a private well owner and to be connected to local experts and additional resources to manage their well.
“The Private Well Stewardship Program helps Iowa’s 230,000 private well owners to learn about the responsibilities and risks of being a private well owner and connect them to local experts to manage their well,” said Catherine DeLong, water quality program manager with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Many private well owners in Iowa don’t know that there is funding available in every county to help test their well annually. Iowa is unique in covering this cost; we just need more people to take advantage.”
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all recommend that private well owners test their well annually. However, research from Iowa State and data from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services indicate that only 5 to 10% of households in Iowa test annually.
Upcoming events:
- Howard: Sept. 25, 6 to 7 p.m., Cresco Bank and Trust, Highway 9 West, Cresco. Register by contacting Susan Barnes, at [email protected] or 563-547-3001.
- Winneshiek: Sept. 26, 6 to 7 p.m., ISU Extension and Outreach Winneshiek County office, 2316 Sweet, Parkway Road, Decorah. Register by contacting Alexandria McIntyre, at [email protected] or 563-382-2949.
- Pocahontas and Humboldt counties: Oct. 4, 6 to 7 p.m., Gilmore City Community Center, Gilmore City.
There is no deadline for registration and no cost to attend.
