The Penn State Master Well Owner Network has released its schedule of training opportunities for new MWON volunteers for the next year.

New volunteers can choose from any one of the following full-day, Saturday workshops or seven week online training modules: 

-- September 24-November 5 - Online training module

-- February 11-March 25 – Online training module

-- March 16 – York County, York - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – lunch provided

-- June 8 – Forest County, Marienville - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – lunch provided

Those interested in becoming a MWON volunteer should complete the online application form available or call Bryan Swistock at 814-863-0194.  Volunteers receive approximately eight hours of training on proper location, construction, testing, conservation, and treatment of private water wells, springs and cisterns.

All newly trained volunteers receive an 80-page Guide to Private Water Systems handbook, discounted water testing through the Penn State testing laboratory, and access to a variety of experts and educational resources available through Penn State Extension.  Trained volunteers are asked to pass along their knowledge about private water systems to family, friends, co-workers and neighbors.

MWON is currently funded through support from Penn State Extension, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Pennsylvania Ground Water Association.

Since its creation in 2004, the Penn State Master Well Owner Network has trained over 600 volunteers in 63 counties of Pennsylvania.  These volunteers have directly educated over 35,000 private water supply owners over the past seven years. 

For more details, visit the Master Well Owner Network webpage.

(Reprinted from Penn State Extension Watershed Winds online newsletter.)

9/10/2012