Resources
VAHWQP Well Informed Newsletters:
- Sign up for our listserv and receive newsletters electronically
- September 2009 Well Informed Newsletter - CURRENT ISSUE
- May 2009 Well Informed Newsletter
- January 2009 Well Informed Newsletter
Virginia Cooperative Extension Resources
- New! Ten Tips for Managing your Private Well Water Supply Brochure
- Virginia Cooperative Extension - local offices
- Virginia Cooperative Extension household water publications
- Household Water Testing
- Interpreting Your Water Test Report
- Hydrogen Sulfide in Household Water
- Bacteria and Microorganisms in Household Water
- Nitrate in Household Water
- Lead in Household Water
- Iron and Manganese in Household Water
- Water Quality Problems: Causes and Treatments
- Household Water Treatment
- Questions to Ask When Purchasing Water Treatment Equipment
- Emergency Supplies of Water
Additional household water publications
- Household Water Conservation
- Water Conservation: How much water and money can you save?
- Water Softening
- Radon in Household Water
- Corrosive Water Problems
Well Resources
- Water Systems Council Wellcare Hotline
- Virginia Water Well Association
- National Groundwater Association's Well Owner Website
- National Groundwater Association's 8 Tips for maintaining your well
- Before You Drill a Well
- Managing Your Well During a Drought
- Sanitary Well Caps and Grouting
- Using a Low-yielding Well
- Water System Planning
Springs and Cistern Resources
Financial and Technical Assistance
- Virginia SAIF Water Wells- located in the Northern Neck, Va; a faith-based effort for safer drinking water for rural Virginians
- Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project in Virginia (SERCAP) - promotes the development of affordable water and wastewater facilities, activities and resources to improve the quality of life for low income rural residents
- USDA Rural Development Programs - housing, emergency, and community development grants
- Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Housing Preservation and Rehabilitation
Additional Resources
- EPA Private Wells
- EPA Drinking Water from Private Wells brochure
- Water on Tap: What you need to know (EPA)
- EPA Public Drinking Water Standards
- Virginia Private Well Regulations (Department of Health)
- Virginia Certified Private Water Quality Laboratories (Department of General Services Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services)
- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Groundwater Basics
- Penn State Water Resources Education - drinking water publications
- Wisconsin Private Well Page - excellent set of fact sheets for private well owners
- Cornell Extension Drinking Water Information - fact sheets and other useful resources
- American Groundwater Trust - good resources for private well owners
- National Sanitation Foundation- list of certified water treatment devices
- Water Quality Association
- Consumer Reports
- Better Business Bureau
- Smart Disposal - information about the potential environmental impact from improperly disposed of medications and proper disposal alternatives
If you rely on a well, spring or cistern for your water supply, you are responsible for the safety of your family's water! This means you should take steps toward maintaining and protecting your well and regularly test your water.
