If you are interested in learning more about the proper management of private water wells, springs and cisterns and you are willing to share what you learn with others, you might be interested in applying for the Penn State Master Well Owner Network online course being offered by Penn State Extension starting on February 13. 

The registration deadline for this course is February 1.

The Penn State Master Well Owner Network will provide free, online training for the first 25 volunteers who submit an application and are accepted into the program. To be eligible for this program you must:

-- Not be employed by any company that provides paid services to private water supply owners (i.e. water testing companies, water treatment companies, water well drillers, etc.); and

-- You must be willing to pass along basic private water system management knowledge to other private water system owners.

Each accepted volunteer will receive seven weekly emails with links to short reading assignments and video presentations on private water system basics, water testing, water supply protection, water treatment, water conservation, and outreach strategies.

Course registrants can complete the course at their own pace from February 13 to March 27. A computer with a high speed internet connection is recommended to view all of the course materials and videos.

Volunteers who successfully complete the training course and pass a short exam will receive a free copy of the 80 page publication - A Guide to Private Water Systems in Pennsylvania, a free basic water test through the Penn State water testing lab, and access to various MWON educational materials.

In return, MWON volunteers are asked to pass along what they have learned to other private water supply owners and submit an annual report of their educational accomplishments.

Volunteers who recently completed the online course said:

-- The course was very educational and included items that I had not given any thought or concern to. Thank you for the opportunity to get more educated.

-- I have had water wells for over 35 years and had found it difficult to get GOOD information on care and maintenance of existing wells.

Click Here for more information on the course and to submit an application.

Pennsylvania is home to over one million private water wells and springs but it is one of the few states that do not provide statewide regulations to protect these rural drinking water supplies.

In 2004, Penn State Cooperative Extension and several partner agencies created the Master Well Owner Network (MWON); trained volunteers who are dedicated to promoting the proper construction, testing, and maintenance of private water wells, springs and cisterns throughout Pennsylvania.

Since its inception, hundreds of MWON volunteers have provided education to over 40,000 private water supply owners throughout the state.

For more information on the program, visit the Penn State Master Well Owner Network webpage.

(Reprinted from Penn State Extension’s January 17 Watershed Winds newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

[Posted Jan. 17, 2017]

1/23/2017