Office of Drinking Water Quality

Private Well Testing Information

Advisory Groups

We recognize that the Private Well Program's Rules and Regulations will be living documents that will require adjustment and change over time as circumstances warrant. Therefore, we propose creating the following advisory groups that will meet as necessary. These advisory groups will be made up of stakeholders and individuals who have expressed an interest in and desire to contribute to the furthering of this program. Each group heading is followed by a synopsis of topics that each group will focus on. These advisory groups have open membership; we encourage interested individuals to participate.

Database Users Group - will look at the types of data uses and data structures that will facilitate the optimal use of the data by HEALTH and other state agencies, environmental professionals, municipal officials, and the public at large. This group will provide the insights and ideas for the other database user groups to build off.

Database Creative/Structure Group - will create the structure of the database following existing and accepted data schema that will meet both state and federal criteria. This group will also work closely with the other database advisory groups to ensure that the data being provided are in appropriate format and style, are input into the appropriate structure, and meet the needs of the end users.

Database Providers Group - will look as how to standardize the general incoming information provided by the public and format of data being reported by certified labs. Additionally, this group will work with the database creative/structure group to investigate the most appropriate way for certified labs to interface with the database and will work with the database users group to ensure that the information being requested is being provided.

Education Group - will provide the program with ideas to enhance the program components that serve to educate professional organizations and members of the public.

Groundwater Professional Qualification Group - will examine what the requirements will be for an individual to be considered qualified to sample water for potability testing or to interpret those results and make a final determination on potability.

Corrective Actions Group - will look at creating guidance information for owners of wells that indicate the presence of unwanted constituents or constituents with levels in excess of accepted standards or advisories.

Monitoring Requirements Group - will look at available data regarding the presence of various constituents and their geographic distribution or statistical significance. Review of this information will be considered in determining the level of monitoring (suggested, recommended, or required).