Conducting a Drinking Water Clinic

1. Conducting a Drinking Water Clinic Erin James Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training October 29-30, 2008 Harrisonburg Virginia

2. Overview • Planning for and conducting a clinic • Reporting outcomes and impacts • Agent evaluation form • Follow-up survey of clinic participants • Working with volunteers • The VAHWQP website and how to use it • www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu NEW!

3. The DWC Agent Packet • Available at www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu or from EJ • Information for VAMWON agents • USERNAME: hosting.vamwon • PASSWORD: wellspring • Includes • Information about planning • Templates for advertising • Registration list • Details so you can answer participant questions • Evaluation form

4. Basic Program • Kickoff Meeting • Sample Collection • Sample Analysis • Interpretation Meeting

5. Advertising • 8+ weeks • Consider: • Newspapers • Fliers • Letter to homeowners • Radio • Home/Ag Shows/Fairs • Seek donations or sponsors • At this time, contact others to participate: • VDH Env Health Spec • Local SWCD, NRCS, USGS

6. Prep for Kickoff Mtg • Pre-registration • Notify coordinator of anticipated # participants • Sample kits prepared at BSE water quality lab: • Two sample bottles • Questionnaire • Sampling instructions • Sample kits and coolers shipped to you 2 weeks prior • Powerpoint presentations, notes and talking points provided

7. Kickoff Meeting • Brief presentation covering: • Common water quality problems in the area • Results/turnout from past drinking water clinics • HOW to collect a drinking water sample • WHEN to collect the sample and drop it off • WHERE to drop the sample off • Consider handing out fliers with sample collection day, time and location • Distribute sample kits and collect payment

8. Frequently Asked Questions • What will analysis include? • pH, hardness, chloride, fluoride, sodium, sulfate, nitrate, iron, manganese, corrosivity, copper, TDS, total coliform bacteria, E. coli bacteria • How many participants per clinic? • Our incubator for bacteriological analysis can hold 350 samples • How much does it cost? • $46. The same analysis a private commercial lab: $150-200. Priceless! • Assistance for low-income folks is available through our grant. • How does payment/billing work? • You collect payment from participants at the Kickoff meeting • WQ lab will bill you for entire amount. Pay with an Interdepartmental Service Request (ISR) to be assured the internal rate.

9. Interdepartmental Service Request • BSE Water Quality Lab is a cost-recovery center • Internal vs. External rates • All county offices should have an operating fund code, which is used to set up an ISR, if you don’t already have one. • Questions? Contact: Beth Ebel eebel@vt.edu 540-231-7118

10. Sample Collection - Them • Instructions • Stress instructions must be followed carefully or results are not accurate • “Raw” vs. “Tap” / before vs. after treatment • Extra samples are an additional $46. • DAY and TIME sample is collected are very important – bacteriological analysis must be done within 24 hours of collection

11. Sample Collection - You • ICE! • Collection day • Recommend ~7 am – 11 am collection • All sample bottles are numbered. Same number on the questionnaire. Check match before putting bottles in ZIPLOCK bag, THEN cooler. Ice samples immediately. • Collect all questionnaires in envelope • Drive halfway between Blacksburg and your county to predetermined location to transfer coolers to Water Quality Lab staff

12. Sample Analysis • Us (BSE Water Quality Folks) • All samples analyzed for 14 constituents • Reports compiled and printed • Measures to protect confidentiality – IRB approval • Takes a total of 4-6 weeks • You (Agents) • Consider reminding participants of Interpretation Meeting day, time and location • Email • Flier/postcard (template in agent packet)

13. Interpretation Meeting • BSE folks travel to your county • Distribute results to participants • Power Point presentation • Overview of results as a group • Discuss what the numbers mean, compare to public standards • Address eliminating possible sources of contamination • Introduce treatment options • Answer questions • Consider inviting VDH, NRCS, SWCD

14. Evaluation and Follow-up • Lead agent feedback form • Available online at www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu • Please complete and return to Erin • Statewide impact statement template • Follow-up postcard for clinic participants: • Will you test water more regularly? • Will you change your behavior? • Will you talk to others about your experience?

15. Working with volunteers • Plan to train 100 volunteers in 2009; 240 total • Application and screening process • Interest; have well, spring or cistern • Not affiliated with a water business • Volunteer expectations and policy • Attend one-day training; minimum of 70% on post-test • Unpaid, volunteer work only • General educational advice – no specifics! • Willingness to try to educate 100 people

16. VAMWON Responsibilities • VAMWON Agents • Conduct county-based drinking water clinics • Educate local private water system owners • VAMWON Volunteers can: • Assist VAMWON agents with drinking water clinics • Make presentations to church, service, and civic organizations • Staff information booths at fairs, clinics, ag and home shows • Maintain own water system as a good practices demonstration site • Contribute to VAHWQP newsletter and website • Share innovative education delivery methods with other agents and volunteers • Assist with evaluating program impacts

17. A Quick Tour…our new website!