Approximately 10% of Colorado households rely on private well water. Without connection to municipal water treatment, these users are solely responsible for ensuring the safety of their drinking water. Important to note, lack of existing frameworks and coordinated support systems for private well users in Colorado has created a gap in both service provision and understanding behaviors related around well water testing. As this population is widely distributed throughout the state, and sources their water from individual wells, little is known about water quality, testing frequency and treatment of these vital water supplies. Additionally, less is known about the motivations and barriers to adequate testing and treatment.
This project began with a focus on Boulder County, intending to characterize these elements of water supply for well users in that area. Our initial survey revealed opportunities for community engagement which drove the design of a series of in-person workshops held in the county to increase knowledge and access to resources for residents reliant on well water. Feedback from interviews and workshops allowed us to expand our materials to include concerns around wildfire risk, drought, drying of aquifers, and other sources of potential contamination such as septic systems and flood events.
The project has expanded in geographic scope, allowing us to further assess well stewardship in a broader region. Additional data has been collected from these areas, allowing us to share a fuller picture. We partnered with Local Public Health Agencies in Boulder County, Weld County and Larimer County and expanded outreach to renters and low-income residents through collaboration with CSU Extension, Nederland Food Pantry, and other community partners. We are engaged in feasibility work to create an online statewide toolkit for well users.
