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GAMA - Additional Domestic Well Information

National Organizations

  • Private Drinking Water Wells | US EPA
    • The US Environmental Protection Agency is committed “to protecting human health and the environment for all people, with an emphasis on historically overburdened and underserved communities”.
    • The US EPA develops and enforces regulations, gives grants, studies environmental issues, sponsors partnerships, teaches people about the environment, and publishes information.
    • The US EPA Private Drinking Water Well webpage includes educational resources explaining the water cycle, groundwater and aquifers, water well construction, and other topics relevant to water well owners.
      • Includes information on testing your private water well, potential well water contaminants and their impacts, and preventing water well pollution.
      • Detailed booklet provided by the US EPA, available online, that discusses common contaminants.
  • National Ground Water Association
    • Website containing information and resources for private well owners, such as a well owner’s guide, groundwater basics, and a water well contractor lookup tool.
    • The National Groundwater Water Association was founded in 1948 and “is a community of groundwater professionals working together to advance groundwater knowledge and the success of our members through education and outreach; advocacy; cooperation and information exchange; and enhancement of professional practices”.
    • Part of the USEPA-funded program “Improving Water Quality through Training and Technical Assistance to Private Well Owners.”
    • Water Well Maintenance - Wellowner.org – In depth discussion on what well maintenance is, split into various categories including: Annual Inspection, Routine Maintenance Practices, Homeowner’s Checklist, Well Logs, Restoring Flow, Water Pressure, Old and Unused Wells, Residential Well Cleaning, Well Disinfection, Iron Biofouling / Iron Bacteria, Working with Contractors.
    • Water Well Basics - Wellowner.org – in depth discussion on Water Well Basics, including: Well Owners Guide, What is a Drilled Well?, Types of Wells, Well Planning, Well System Components, Drilling Methods, Groundwater Basics. Finished Well Checklist, Well Construction Agencies. Working with Contractors, and Well Owner Video Lessons.
    • Water Quality & Quantity - Wellowner.org – in depth discussion on water quality, including: Groundwater Quality Basics, Groundwater Protection, Hydraulic Fracturing, Water Conservation, Well Flooding, Reasons to Test Your Water, Selected Contaminants of Concern, Water Testing, and Local Conservation Districts.
  • USGS NAWQA program - USGS Domestic Well Water Quality
    • The United States Geological Survey monitors the quality of water from Domestic Wells in the United States as part of the National Water-Quality (NAWQA) Program.
    • The large number of contaminants assessed as part of this program, and the broad geographic coverage of the study provides a baseline for an improved understanding of groundwater quality in major aquifers in the United States.
    • The linked report is an overview of major findings in principle aquifers across the US from 1991-2004.
    • Quality of Water from Domestic Wells in Principle Aquifers of the United States, 1991-2004 Overview of Major Findings

State Organizations

  • Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER Drinking Water)
    • Information about the California Water Boards SAFER program, designed to ensure Californians who lack safe, adequate, and affordable drinking water receive it as quickly as possible.
  • California Department of Water Resources
    • Website for the California Department of Water Resources whose mission is “To sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state’s people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.”
    • Information on Key Topics such as Drought, Water Conservation, California ‘Megaflood’ Risk, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Delta Conveyance, Climate Change, State Water Project, and Comprehensive Adjudications.
    • Expanded Drought Information section for State of California Response, California Water Watch, How to Save Water, California Groundwater Live, Drought Assistance, Dry Well Reporting System, and Fire Smart Landscaping.
  • Illinois State Water Survey - The Private Well Class
    • The Illinois State Water Survey and the Illinois Water Resources Center at the University of Illinois provide free online training for homeowners with water wells.
    • The Private Well Classes are designed to help a homeowner and well user understand the basic science of water wells and inform them of best practices to maintain and protect the water supply.
    • The nationwide training initiative was funded by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Private/Non-profit Organizations

  • Groundwater Resources - American Ground Water Trust
    • American Groundwater Trust, founded in 1986, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing accurate information about water resources and wells to various users.
    • Includes such Groundwater Topics as Water Testing, Bacteria, Septic Systems, and Water Conditioning (water treatment).
  • Educational Resources - Groundwater Foundation
    • Operated by the National Ground Water Association, the Groundwater Foundation has a mission to “connect people, businesses, and communities through local groundwater education and action, making us all part of the solution for clean, sustainable groundwater”.
    • This website contains information about groundwater and water wells, and resources for educators and students to learn about groundwater through pre-made Lessons Plans, Hands-on Activities, Coloring Sheets, Games and Puzzles, Tools to Organize an Event, Models, Guides, and More, and Webinars.
  • Educational Resources - Water Education Foundation
    • The Water Education Foundation is an impartial nonprofit that was founded in 1977 to put water resource issues in the West into context to create a better understanding of and appreciation for water.
    • The Water Education Foundation website is a resource to better understand the role water plays in most aspects of California life in its Water Academy section including Agriculture; Dams, Reservoirs, and Watr projects; Environmental Issues; water use by Region; Rivers; Water Issues; Water Quality; and Water Supply and Management.
  • Professional water treatment industry - Water Quality Association
    • The Water Quality Association “is a not-for-profit association for the residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment industry”.
    • Contains information on water quality and water treatment technologies used for residential, commercial, and industrial uses.