These results will help to determine whether well and/or septic system construction and maintenance regulations or routine testing of private water systems during real estate transactions would be helpful in reducing contamination and health risks to rural homeowners. Also, the results may shed some light on the importance of routine maintenance of private water systems and septic systems in preventing contamination. Such information would be valuable for Master Well Owner Network volunteers and Cooperative Extension to educate homeowners about protection and management of private water systems.

Bryan Swistock