1. Montana Well Water Test Program Past to Present Approaches Suzanna R. Roffe Montana State University Extension Water Quality Program CSREES Northern Plains and Mountains Region

2.  Bauder, J.W. 1993. Assessing Extension Program Impact: Case Study of a Water Quality Program. J. Nat. Resour. Life Sci. Educ., 22:133-144  Bauder, J.W. 1993. Physiographic and Land Use Characteristics Associated with Nitrate-Nitrogen in Montana Groundwater. J. Environ. Qual., 22:255-262  Bauder, J.W., B.A. White, and W.P. Inskeep. 1991. Montana extension initiative focuses on private well quality. J. Soil Water Conserv. 46:69-74  Bauder, J.W. 1990. Extension Well-Water Test Program. Montana AgResearch, Summer/Fall 1990 Primary Articles

3. Outline  Background of Montana  1989 Well Water Test Program Overview Methods and Materials Results and Participant Assessment Implications  2004 Reinstitution Approaches

4. Montana Background  Population ~900,000 (2002 census) 6.2 people/sq mile  Economy Agriculture – wheat, barley, sugar beets, cattle Natural Resources – forest products, copper, silver, gold, natural gas, oil Tourism

5. Changing face of Montana Decrease in Agriculture  Competitive markets  Declining workforce  Drought – 5+ yrs Soil moisture Reservoir storage Surface water Groundwater Forest moisture levels

6. Changing face of Montana  Decrease in Agricultural Lands Subdivisions “ranchettes” Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Commercial property

7. Increase in Private Wells  Mid 1990’s = 65,000 domestic wells  Groundwater fed 94% rural domestic water supply 39% public water supply  On or adjacent to agricultural lands  Water quality and quantity issues  Education for private well water users.

8. 1989 Well Water Test Program  Montana State University Extension Water Quality Program and Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences  Prompted by 1988 “Well Aware” Program  Spring and fall of 1989 and 1990

9. Program Overview  Target audience – Montana private well owners  Goals – educate and empower Educate public on water quality issues. Improve the decision-making skills of private well owners. Secure information for areas related to groundwater quality.

10. Overview  Methods Provide convenient, inexpensive water testing for rural well water users. Suite of educational resources provided  Outcomes – comprehension, change, and competency

11. Methods and Materials Participation  Voluntary and provided to all Montana counties.  Leadership provided by County extension offices Farm Bureau offices Local conservation districts  Press release to Montana based agriculture magazine  1989 and 1990 – 3342 wells, 53 counties

12. Methods and Materials Resources  Educational videos General water quality issues – Protecting Montana’s groundwater. (Johnson) Specific sampling and sample submission procedures – Sampling your drinking water. (Bauder)  12 fact sheets

13. Methods and Materials Testing  Parameters – indices of possible contaminants pH Coliform bacteria Total dissolved solids (TDS) Na+ concentration NO 3 - - N  Sampling Two sample containers, mailing labels, sampling instructional video Two samples taken – fecal coliform and chemical analysis 30 day sampling period

14. Methods and Materials Follow-up  Test results – significance, interpretation, recommendation  Summaries – by county  Seminar series – 3 months after final testing period Health issues Water quality policy NO 3 — N contamination Well disinfection Point-of-use treatment  Follow-up questionnaire – 44% return rate

15. Results and Assessments Demographics  Entire sample  Geographic location Southeast and south central region Northern Great Plains region Central and western region  Farm vs. Non Farm 56% farm or ranch 44% non farm  Education level

16. Results and Assessments Participation Reason for participation in program (N=1408) Reason% Participants Curiosity about WQ79.6 Concern for family health72.6 Cost and availability of program55.6 Encouragement from concerned party22.1 Questions about agrichemicals in water20.7 Questions about non agrichemicals in water 18.6

17. Results and Assessments Program Value and Participant Learning Conclusions about quality of water and the need for action to ensure the quality of well water supplies. Conclusions% Participants Water was okay to drink60.1 Water quality was questionable20.9 Water may be harmful to personal health11.1 Need to resample and retest6.7 Water was unfit to drink6.7 Need to secure a new source of water2.9 Initiate regular sampling and testing24.5

18. Results and Assessments Participant Action and Opinions What is the source of contaminants?  Septic or sewer systems  Naturally occurring  Livestock  Faulty well system How do you treat the contaminants?  Coliform bacteria  Hard water  NO 3 - - N

19. Results and Assessments Program Value and Information Transfer  Most valued program feature Water test results (89%) Cost of program (76%)\ Information on WQ protection (64%) Specific treatment information (50%)  Increased awareness of well WQ issues and well water protection (83%)  Preferred resources Printed text One-on-one consulting Videos, phone communication with specialist, workshops, TV programs, and audio tapes

20. Opportunity for better BEPs  Target the audience.  Specify audience by need.  Target specific educational resources.  Structure resources to suite the educational level of audience.  Provide information that has immediate utility to audience and program.

21. 2004 Reinstitution of the Program  Annual well water test program Stand alone Self directed Inexpensive Low maintenance  Methods 10 fastest growing counties Initial demographic questionnaire Extension offices for sampling materials Contracted analytical lab Educational needs assessment survey

22. Future Horizons of BEPs in Montana  Public radio, television, and newspaper advertisements  More communication with county agents  Internet educational resources  Distant delivery programs

23. http://waterquality.montana.edu

24. Partners  James Bauder, MSU Water Quality Specialist  Krista Pearson, MSU Information Coordinator and 2004 Well Test Program Director  CSREES Northern Plans and Mountains Region 8