Grantee Research Project Results
Predicting and Equipping Private Well Owners at Risk of Microbial Contamination After Flooding Events
EPA Grant Number: SU840586Title: Predicting and Equipping Private Well Owners at Risk of Microbial Contamination After Flooding Events
Investigators: Terry, Leigh , Jones, Nate
Institution: The University of Alabama
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024
Project Amount: $24,899
RFA: 19th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet Request for Applications (RFA) (2022) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Description:
An estimated 800,000 people are using a private water source, such as wells, for municipal water uses in the state of Alabama (Alabama Public Health 2019). Because of the independence of the system, the actual number and location of all private wells in Alabama is unknown. Individuals dependent on private wells are solely responsible for the quality of the well. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and many state governments provide guidance on well treatment and testing, but it is ultimately up to the owner to monitor and maintain their private system (EPA n.d.; Alabama Public Health 2019). Flooding can significantly damage well water quality and pose a threat to human health as stormwater runoff and flood waters can enter wells and inundate them (Sittler 2017). This inundation could potentially expose the household to E. coli, nitrates, fecal coliforms, heavy metals, and other toxic contaminants. Researchers have studied flood effects on well water (Dai et al. 2019; Eccles et al. 2017; Pieper et al. 2021; Rowles et al. 2020) and predicted flood damage (Al-Sabhan et al. 2003; Gallegos et al. 2012; Jahangir et al. 2019; Lee et al. 2016), but tangible resources for well owners are lacking.
Objective:
The overarching goal of the proposed work is to develop a flood-induced contamination risk assessment model for the Black Belt region of Alabama using spatial analysis and to develop a user-friendly water quality testing packet including educational resources concerning well water contamination. We propose the use of spatial analysis to identify the private wells in the Black Belt region of Alabama that are most at risk for floodwater contamination. We propose the use of sophisticated laboratory equipment to test the efficacy of pre-fabricated, affordable water quality testing strips using samples collected from monitoring wells located on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and the University of Alabama Tanglewood Biological Station located in Hale County, AL. We will execute an extensive literature review on private well remediation after flooding and combine relevant information to create educational resources to be distributed with test kits. The water quality testing kits, in addition to the educational materials, can be distributed to those at-risk of flooding identified through the spatial analysis program. This work will help identify areas of risk for well contamination due to flooding as well as educate and equip well owners to reduce exposure to toxic contaminants by providing them with tangible testing and educational resources.
Approach:
The three specific aspects of the project will (1) develop a spatial analysis model capable of predicting private wells most at risk of flooding in the Black Belt region of Alabama (2) determine the efficacy of pre-manufactured water quality testing strips by collecting samples from the University of Alabama’s monitoring wells (3) develop educational resources for private well owners detailing flood recovery protocol, risks of microbial contamination, and emergency contact information. Through this research, all aspects of the P3 approach will be served through an emphasis on education, community, and reduction of groundwater contaminants in private wells. The project will impact people because we will develop educational material to protect and educate private well users on potentially harmful contaminants in groundwater after a flooding event. Private well owners are responsible for ensuring their water is safe yet are provided with limited resources to understand the risks of contaminants in their water. By providing adequate educational resources to private well users in Hale County, the prosperity of private well users in this region will be positively impacted through an improvement in the quality of life. Focusing on the risk of groundwater contamination during a flood event will bring awareness to various sources of contamination, and how people can better serve their planet and community.
The proposed project will provide ample opportunities for students to become involved in sample collection in the field, laboratory analysis, spatial analysis, and dissemination of the research. At the university level, the project will provide educational materials that will be utilized by the Alabama Water Institute, Global Water Security Center, and Young Water Professionals (YWP) student group. Sharing the project’s results through YWP will help to inspire students to pursue research in the water field. The spatial analysis portion of the project will also serve as a guideline for the creation of an R programming course at the University of Alabama. The project will also provide educational materials to be shared at a community level, through the support of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Program (ACES) and the Scientific Research and Education Network (SciREN). ACES will assist in the dissemination of educational materials for private well users in the Black Belt region. The research project will create lesson plans about groundwater wells and quality for children, which can be utilized by K-12 teachers through the connections in SciREN-Alabama. The emphasis of education and outreach at various levels in the community and education system will support the third aspect of the project’s purpose.
Expected Results:
Phase I of this proposed research will focus on locating and assessing areas at risk of flooding in Hale County, AL, collecting samples from monitoring wells to determine the efficacy of well water quality testing strips, and the developing of an educational packet for well owners. Written results will include a Phase I report for the Environmental Protection Agency, a proposal for Phase II research, and a journal publication.
Supplemental Keywords:
private wells, flood recovery, microbial contamination, spatial analysis, well water, GISThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.