Private well and drinking water safety have come to the forefront of rural water issues in the past few years, yet few educational resources are addressing the topic. As part of the North Central Agriculture and Natural Resources (NCANR) Academy (2019-2021) a group of four Extension Educators throughout the Midwest identified a need for specified resources based around drinking water. A Qualtrics survey was designed to assess what educational needs were specifically needed around the Midwest with much of the focus on Minnesota, North Dakota, Indiana, and Oklahoma. Seventeen questions were asked.
The survey was sent out via a sharable link and advertised over social media, through group meetings, and local newsletters in specific locations, January 15–February 5, 2020. Four main topics that the audience was most interested in were: How and when to test well water Factors affecting water quality Aquifer formation and groundwater location and What to do if a drinking water test shows a contamination issue. Other questions such as where the audience gets their information, how often they test their well water for contaminants, and what they use the well water for were also addressed. The NCANR Academy group is working to address these educational needs and will be designing and deliver a program available in the summer of 2021.
Speaker(s)
Anne Nelson, University of Minnesota Extension; Crystal Van Pelt, Purdue Extension; Greg Benz, NDSU Extension; Coy McCorkle, OK Extension