We News You Can Use For The Household Well Owner (NAPSA)—If you're one ofthe esti- mated 34 million Americans who use well water, you may be pleased to know there’s a fount of information about the care and maintenanceof your well available to you. Private well owners are responsible for their water systems, and now have an unprecedented numberof practical online tools and resources that can help them be good managers of their wells and water. This help spans proper well construction, water testing and water Well owners can tap into a stream of helpful advice. treatment to well system maintenance and groundwaterprotection. Where To Turn These resources are provided by the e A directory of drinking water testing laboratories e Answers to frequently asked questions. For example, the following: and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership through partners including the National Ground Water Association my water treatment system periodically? Answer: Yes. First, check the water treatment system owner's manual for recommendations on water testing. If you do not have that information, contact the manufactureror go onlineto see if you can find the maintenance information for your product’s make and model. Generally, treated water should be tested after the treatment system is installed to make sure it is working. You can also test the waterafter the treatment system is serviced to makesure it is working properly. Another reason to testis if the treatment system has not been maintained according to the product maintenance recommendations. Neglecting maintenance such as the timely replacement or cleaning ofa filter could impair the treatment systemseffectiveness. Thesite also offers quizzes with such US. Environmental Protection Agency (NGWA), the University of Illinois (UI) and the Water Systems Council (WSC). What You Can Learn UIs www.PrivateWellClass.org provides: 10 e-mail lessons on groundwaterscience, emergencies, finding help, water testing and treatment, and well construction, operation and maintenance e 16 short videos on similar topics Recorded webinars Podcasts. On WSC’s www.WaterSystems Council.org you canfind: e A HELP emergency response public service announcement, video, and Web materials A well regulations report e A well owners manual e Five different Wellcare brochures e Its telephone hotline, (888) 395-1033 e A Wellcare newsletter. On NGWA’s www.WellOwner.org you can find: e 17 short lessons on well construction and maintenance, water testing and treatment, and more e15 recorded webinars covering the same topics A well financing video e A well owner app e A well owner's manual e Monthly e-mail tip sheets eA directory of water well and water treatment professionals Question: Should I test water from questionsas this one: Question: A breach in a well system at or near the surface that can cause turbid wateris: a) A hole or break in the well casing b) A broken, missing or unsecured well cap c) Deteriorated grouting that has allowed surface runoff to infiltrate the well d) All of the above. The correct answeris d), all of the above—a hole or break in the casing; a broken, missing or unsecured well cap; and deteriorated grouting.
