Protecting Private Well Users’ Health: Results From Two Statewide Studies

Evaluation of Preparedness and Recovery Needs of Private Well Users After the Great Louisiana Flood of 2016

“…Most of the survey respondents were dependent on well water prior to the August 2016 flood, yet insufficient well stewardship was reported under both normal and emergency conditions, consistent with prior research. 6,[11][12][13][14][15] These results are relevant to an estimated 43 million people or 15% of the US population who rely on private wells 5 and 435 million people around the world who rely on wells and springs. 21 To reduce the potential for adverse public health impacts, study results were used to develop recommendations to improve disaster preparedness.…”

“…Prior research shows unfamiliarity with well water safety risks is a principal barrier to well stewardship. 12,13 Only one-third of well users surveyed received outreach information about contamination related to floods. These individuals were more likely to engage in postflood recovery behaviors, indicating that there is some value in well user outreach and education.…”

“…Some public universities (eg, Pennsylvania State, Virginia Tech) offer good models for creating well user networks through Cooperative Extensions to improve well user communications, training, and support. 10,12,13,23 Since the flood, outreach to well users have improved, due to the efforts of the Louisiana Private Well Initiative (PWI), a program within LDH that is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Promoting Clean Water for Health Program. The PWI is tasked with providing well users with outreach and support.…”

“…13,14 Similar to previous findings, results indicate that there is a need to educate well users on appropriate water treatment methods. [11][12][13][14] After the flood, total coliform and E coli were present in 25.5% and 3.8% of 106 well water samples, respectively. Without access to baseline preflood microbial data in this area, we cannot make definitive conclusions about this result, but this data gap highlights a need for further field investigations and underscores a need for well user training in water disinfection.…”

“…However, prior research has highlighted inadequate knowledge among well users with respect to flood preparation, and postflood well water treatment and testing, and even routine well maintenance. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] This is a concern, as modeling studies suggest that climate change may increase the probability, frequency, and magnitude of similar extreme precipitation and flooding events in the region-some scientists even attributed Louisiana's 2016 floods to climatic changes. 1,15 This study characterizes well user knowledge gaps, risk perceptions, flood impacts, resource accessibility, and well maintenance barriers using data from the August 2016 LA flood.…”