Community-Based Well Testing and Outreach to Mitigate Human Health Risk from Unsafe Drinking Water

This is a pre-print and not a final publication. This article has been accepted for publication at the Journal of Extension, with an anticipated publication date early in 2026. It is being made available here (February 24th of 2025) for reference by those interested in the work, but please check back in 2026 for a final published version. Abstract: Twenty two percent of groundwater wells tested nationally have one or more contaminants above a health threshold, and many private well owners are unaware of risks because they have not tested their water. Researchers piloted a community well testing clinic for education/outreach and surveyed participants about outcomes. Two months afterwards, 75% of participants with high or intermediate health risk water quality results had taken action or intended to, indicating that community private well testing clinics can be effective in mitigating human health risk from contaminated drinking water.