A community based approach to arsenic treatment for private well users in licking county, Ohio

Abstract

Private well users are not protected under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and rural communities reliant on well water often experience disproportionate exposure to environmental contaminants in these waters. This study aims to identify an affordable and effective solution for private well users with arsenic contamination in Licking County, Ohio, address current barriers to well stewardship, and assess the impact of targeted education on the households' perceptions, self-efficacy, and future intentions to test, treat, and maintain their wells. Fourteen households were provided with a point-of-use (POU) treatment system, and its effectiveness was evaluated over a twelve-week period. Additionally, households received tailored education and resources to aid them in testing, treating and maintaining their wells. Changes in the households’ perceptions, self-efficacy, stewardship practices, and future intentions were assessed through semi-structured interviews and surveys. We found that the POU system effectively reduced arsenic levels below the USEPA's maximum contaminant level in all households. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in perceptions of water quality and safety, self-efficacy, knowledge of contamination risks, and intentions to engage in future well stewardship. These findings suggest that targeted education and practical treatment solutions can positively influence well stewardship and raise awareness of contamination risks. This study highlights the importance of developing and enhancing well management interventions in collaboration with rural communities to improve access to safe water. Policy implications include the need for targeted, continuous community education and required well testing to help mitigate disparities in access to safe drinking water.