A Feasibility Study to Mitigate Arsenic Exposure in Well Water in Oregon

Approximately 13 million households in the United States rely on private wells for their drinking water, and it is the homeowner's responsibility to manage the quality of water in their private wells. Many toxic contaminants may be present in private wells that can negatively impact health, and Extension agents are well positioned to assist homeowners in understanding how to manage these contaminants. This study demonstrated that motivational education provided by an Extension agent trained in motivational interviewing techniques can help homeowners with private wells mitigate their exposure to arsenic by adopting appropriate water treatment.