Erin James Ling Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training Conducting a Drinking Water Clinic

Overview Planning for and conducting a clinic Reporting outcomes and impacts Agent evaluation form Follow-up survey of clinic participants Working with volunteers Financial assistance for underserved 2

Clinic Stats 2558 samples analyzed 43 clinics in 47 counties $7000+ donations and scholarships contributed Farm Bureau Soil and Water Conservation Districts County Private Companies – water treatment, testing labs Local RC&D Virginia Water Well Association 3

The DWC Agent Packet Available at Includes Information about planning Templates for advertising Registration list template Details so you can answer participant questions Evaluation form Copies of presentations from this training and Interpretation Meeting 4

5 Basic Program 1. Kickoff Meeting 2. Sample Collection 3. Sample Analysis 4. Interpretation Meeting

Advertising 6 8+ weeks Consider: Newspapers Fliers Letter to homeowners Radio Home/Ag Shows/Fairs Seek donations or sponsors At this time, contact others to participate: VDH Env Health Specialists Local SWCD, NRCS, USGS

Prep for Kickoff Mtg 7 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 clinic Wells, springs and cisterns 123 Community Dr Nov 23, pm

Kickoff Meeting Brief presentation covering: Common water quality problems in the area Results/turnout from past drinking water clinics HOW to collect a drinking water sample WHEN to collect the sample and drop it off WHERE to drop the sample off Consider handing out fliers with sample collection day, time and location Distribute sample kits and collect payment 8

Frequently Asked Questions What 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 – would like MORE!! How much does it cost? $50. The same analysis a private commercial lab: $ 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 9

Sample Collection - Them Instructions Stress instructions must be followed carefully or results are not accurate First draw and flushed samples Sampling “before” vs. “after” treatment Each sample kit is an additional $50 DAY and TIME sample is collected are very important – bacteriological analysis must be done within 24 hours of collection 10

Kickoff Meeting 101: ‘First Draw’ vs. ‘Flushed’ samples Metals 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 - You Provide ICE! About 20 lbs per cooler Collection day Recommend ~7 am – 10 or 11 am collection All sample bottles are numbered. Same number on the questionnaire. Ice samples immediately. Collect all questionnaires in envelope Meet halfway between Blacksburg and your county at predetermined location to transfer coolers to Water Quality Lab staff – details via Bring empty coolers and extra kits with you 15

Sample Analysis Us (BSE Water Quality People) All samples analyzed for 15 constituents Reports compiled and printed Measures to protect confidentiality – IRB approval Takes a total of 4-5 weeks You (Agents) Remind participants of Interpretation Meeting day, time and location 16

Interpretation Meeting Conference call to go over results and common questions At 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 17

Evaluation and Follow-up Follow-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 form Erin will – please complete and return Statewide impact statement template 18

Lessons Learned: Advertising Best approaches: Farm Bureau Newsletter Local newspaper column/feature article/press release Direct mailing Word of mouth Best time frame Start 8 weeks out and intensify 4 weeks before Mention pre-registration to avoid rush at end and not enough sample kits 19

Results of Participant Questionnaires 32.4% response rate total (omits last 5 clinics) 20 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 Questionnaires 32.4% response rate total (omits last 5 clinics) 21 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 content Individuals 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 issues Low cost of testing for this opportunity All results kept confidential Emotion/health and safety-based 22

Lessons Learned: Key Individuals and Groups to Involve/Invite Local VAMWON volunteers! Master Gardener volunteers Farm Bureau ELC Health Department Soil and Water District Contact from local water testing lab County Board of Supervisors Local RC&D Council 23

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 24

Working with volunteers 56 volunteers trained Application at Interest; have well, spring or cistern Not affiliated with a water business Volunteer expectations and policy Attend one-day training; minimum of 80% on post-test Unpaid, volunteer work only General educational advice – no specifics! Willingness to try to educate 100 people 25

Financial and Technical Assistance Virginia Dept of Housing and Community Dev’t ( 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) ( Very low to moderate income housing loans for single or multi-family homes Grants for homeowners 62+ Rural rental housing loans 26

Financial and Technical Assistance Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project ( 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) ( 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! 27

28 Questions? Discussion?