Montana Well Water Test Program Past to Present Approaches Suzanna R. Roffe Montana State University Extension Water Quality Program CSREES Northern Plains.

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

http://waterquality.montana.edu

Partners James Bauder, MSU Water Quality Specialist Krista Pearson, MSU Information Coordinator and

2004 Well Test Program Director CSREES Northern Plans and Mountains Region 8