Improving Private Well Testing Programs: Experimental Evidence from Iowa

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Water Quality

Background:

• Millions of US households depend on private wells for drinking water.
• Inadequate testing and treatment of private well water may lead to widespread pollution exposure.
• Understanding household behaviors regarding private well water is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize drinking water behaviors and perceptions of Iowa's private well households.
• To assess the impact of nitrate test strips and a free testing program on household behaviors and perceptions through a randomized control trial.
• To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and welfare implications of the intervention.

Main Methods:

• A large-scale survey of private well households in Iowa was conducted.
• A randomized control trial (RCT) was employed to test the intervention's effectiveness.
• Intervention included nitrate test strips and information on a free water quality testing program.

Main Results:

• Few households adhered to recommended water testing frequencies.
• Approximately 40% of households exhibited risky behaviors (not testing, treating, or avoiding water).
• The intervention significantly increased water testing rates, including high-quality follow-up tests, but had limited impact on other behaviors and perceptions.

Conclusions:

• Private well water testing and treatment behaviors in Iowa are suboptimal.
• The tested intervention effectively promoted water testing and was welfare-enhancing.
• Further strategies may be needed to address broader behavioral and perceptual issues related to private well water safety.