Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) launched the Individual Well Program in April 2016 to provide well assessments and workshops funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program’s mission is to ensure well owners know how to maintain their well and to ensure they have safe drinking water. RCAC staff conduct workshops to educate homeowners, well drillers, environmental health specialists, and other stakeholders on the best practices for well assessments and public outreach. The program is based on research conducted by one of RCAC’s partners, the National Ground Water Association (NGWA). The Rural Community Assistance Corporation offers training, technical and financial resources, and advocacy so rural communities can achieve their goals and visions. The Individual Well Program is part of a national effort to provide consistent and nationwide best practices to assist private well owners and promote public health. After performing more than 200 well assessments, RCAC staff have developed and refined the best practices for well assessment.
Before conducting a well assessment, the well inspector should do some research. He or she should know the relevant structural geology, water quality issues and community issues in the area, as well as be knowledgeable about well system components, well system problem indicators and common troubleshooting problems related to the well system. It is also helpful to know the state (and county) well construction regulations.