After participating in the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe the difference in safety issues between municipal water supplies and private water supplies.
• Identify five contaminants that can be found in drinking water.
• Describe the process homeowners can use if they suspect lead or copper in their pipes.
• Identify what contaminants private well owners should test for, and how often.
• Identify five things homeowners can do to protect water supplies.
  

Teaching plan for a 45 minute workshop (19 slides & notes).

1. Print this section of the Healthy Homes booklet to use for handout material.
2. Make copies of the Drinking Water Quality Pre-test and Post-test.
   
   At the beginning, distribute the Pre-Test. Ask the audience to take the quiz, informing them it is voluntary and anonymous. Have the completed tests passed to the back of the room, where they can be collected.
3. Additional visuals for the presentation, may include emphasizing the safety aspects of drinking water.
   • Contact a local utility company and ask for information or the letters and bulletins they use to inform citizens of the safety of their drinking water.
   • Ask them for statistics on their water systems.

   Talk with participants about the “boil” water notices they see on the news, and see if they can determine what events typically cause these.

4. Contact a local certified water lab and obtain the bottle and information needed to take a water sample.
   Demonstrate or discuss the process for obtaining a water sample.
   Get a report of a water test, and duplicate the results.
   Discuss what the numbers represent, and what they need to look out for.

5. Visit the Healthy Homes Web Tool for Drinking Water Quality Web site at www.uwex.edu/healthyhome/tool/water.cfm. (pg. not working)
   Print out several examples using different scenarios and have your groups break into small groups to discuss what approaches they would take if the homes were theirs.
   Have them report back to the class.

6. At the end of the program, distribute the Post-Test. Ask the audience to complete the test and leave it on a back table or chair as they leave the room. Inform them that completion of the test is voluntary and anonymous, but the information will be used for program improvements and Extension reporting.

7. Thank everyone for coming, and let them know you are available for questions.
   

Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water


American Water Works Association


Home*A*Syst Program


Water Quality Association


National Agriculture Library – Water Information Center


National Water Quality Assessment Program