montana well water test program past to present approaches suzanna r. roffe montana state university...
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Montana Well Water Test ProgramPast to Present Approaches
Suzanna R. Roffe
Montana State University Extension Water Quality Program
CSREES Northern Plains and Mountains Region
Bauder, J.W. 1993. Assessing Extension Program Impact: Case Study of a Water Quality Program. J. Nat. Resour. Life Sci. Educ., 22:133-144
Bauder, J.W. 1993. Physiographic and Land Use Characteristics Associated with Nitrate-Nitrogen in Montana Groundwater. J. Environ. Qual., 22:255-262
Bauder, J.W., B.A. White, and W.P. Inskeep. 1991. Montana extension initiative focuses on private well quality. J. Soil Water Conserv. 46:69-74
Bauder, J.W. 1990. Extension Well-Water Test Program. Montana AgResearch, Summer/Fall 1990
Primary Articles
Outline Background of Montana 1989 Well Water Test
Program Overview Methods and Materials Results and Participant
Assessment Implications
2004 Reinstitution Approaches
Montana Background Population
~900,000 (2002 census) 6.2 people/sq mile
Economy Agriculture – wheat, barley, sugar beets,
cattle Natural Resources – forest products,
copper, silver, gold, natural gas, oil Tourism
Changing face of Montana Decrease in Agriculture Competitive markets Declining workforce Drought – 5+ yrs
Soil moisture Reservoir storage Surface water Groundwater Forest moisture levels
Changing face of Montana Decrease in
Agricultural Lands Subdivisions “ranchettes” Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP)
Commercial property
Increase in Private Wells Mid 1990’s = 65,000 domestic wells Groundwater fed
94% rural domestic water supply 39% public water supply
On or adjacent to agricultural lands Water quality and quantity issues Education for private well water users.
1989 Well Water Test Program Montana State University Extension Water
Quality Program and Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences
Prompted by 1988 “Well Aware” Program Spring and fall of 1989 and 1990
Program Overview Target audience – Montana private well
owners Goals – educate and empower
Educate public on water quality issues. Improve the decision-making skills of private
well owners. Secure information for areas related to
groundwater quality.
Overview Methods
Provide convenient, inexpensive water testing for rural well water users.
Suite of educational resources provided Outcomes – comprehension, change, and competency
Methods and MaterialsParticipation
Voluntary and provided to all Montana counties.
Leadership provided by County extension offices Farm Bureau offices Local conservation districts
Press release to Montana based agriculture magazine
1989 and 1990 – 3342 wells, 53 counties
Methods and MaterialsResources
Educational videos General water quality issues – Protecting
Montana’s groundwater. (Johnson) Specific sampling and sample submission
procedures – Sampling your drinking water. (Bauder)
12 fact sheets
Methods and MaterialsTesting Parameters – indices of possible contaminants
pH Coliform bacteria Total dissolved solids (TDS) Na+ concentration NO3
- - N Sampling
Two sample containers, mailing labels, sampling instructional video
Two samples taken – fecal coliform and chemical analysis 30 day sampling period
Methods and MaterialsFollow-up Test results – significance, interpretation,
recommendation Summaries – by county Seminar series – 3 months after final testing period
Health issues Water quality policy NO3
—N contamination Well disinfection Point-of-use treatment
Follow-up questionnaire – 44% return rate
Results and Assessments Demographics
Entire sample Geographic location
Southeast and south central region
Northern Great Plains region
Central and western region
Farm vs. Non Farm 56% farm or ranch 44% non farm
Education level
Results and Assessments Participation
Reason for participation in program (N=1408)
Reason % Participants
Curiosity about WQ 79.6
Concern for family health 72.6
Cost and availability of program 55.6
Encouragement from concerned party 22.1
Questions about agrichemicals in water 20.7
Questions about non agrichemicals in water
18.6
Results and AssessmentsProgram Value and Participant Learning
Conclusions about quality of water and the need for action to ensure the quality of well water supplies.
Conclusions % Participants
Water was okay to drink 60.1
Water quality was questionable 20.9
Water may be harmful to personal health 11.1
Need to resample and retest 6.7
Water was unfit to drink 6.7
Need to secure a new source of water 2.9
Initiate regular sampling and testing 24.5
Results and AssessmentsParticipant Action and OpinionsWhat is the source of contaminants? Septic or sewer systems Naturally occurring Livestock Faulty well systemHow do you treat the contaminants? Coliform bacteria Hard water NO3
- - N
Results and AssessmentsProgram Value and Information Transfer Most valued program feature
Water test results (89%) Cost of program (76%)\ Information on WQ protection (64%) Specific treatment information (50%)
Increased awareness of well WQ issues and well water protection (83%)
Preferred resources Printed text One-on-one consulting Videos, phone communication with specialist, workshops, TV
programs, and audio tapes
Opportunity for better BEPs Target the audience. Specify audience by need. Target specific educational resources. Structure resources to suite the educational
level of audience. Provide information that has immediate utility
to audience and program.
2004 Reinstitution of the Program Annual well water test program
Stand alone Self directed Inexpensive Low maintenance
Methods 10 fastest growing counties Initial demographic questionnaire Extension offices for sampling materials Contracted analytical lab Educational needs assessment survey
Future Horizons of BEPs in Montana Public radio, television,
and newspaper advertisements
More communication with county agents
Internet educational resources
Distant delivery programs