Event Title

Arsenic in Private Well Water: A Survey of Maine Residents

Location

Diamond 145

Start Date

30-4-2015 9:00 AM

End Date

30-4-2015 11:55 AM

Project Type

Presentation

Description

Arsenic contamination of groundwater in Maine is a serious problem. Arsenic is toxic to humans, and the main route of exposure is ingestion of contaminated drinking water. Arsenic is regulated in the public water supply using the federal Safe Drinking Water Act but no such regulation exists for private water supplies, including the wells of nearly half of Maine residents. Students in ES366 (The Environment and Human Health) hosted a public forum on this issue on April 10, 2015 in Belgrade, Maine. Public knowledge about arsenic in private well water and well water testing was assessed by asking forum attendees to fill out an anonymous pre- and post-survey. Results of these surveys are discussed in this presentation.

Faculty Sponsor

Russ Cole

Sponsoring Department

Colby College. Environmental Studies Program

CLAS Field of Study

Interdisciplinary Studies

Event Website

http://www.colby.edu/clas

ID

1642

Share

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Apr 30th, 9:00 AM Apr 30th, 11:55 AM

Arsenic in Private Well Water: A Survey of Maine Residents

Diamond 145

Arsenic contamination of groundwater in Maine is a serious problem. Arsenic is toxic to humans, and the main route of exposure is ingestion of contaminated drinking water. Arsenic is regulated in the public water supply using the federal Safe Drinking Water Act but no such regulation exists for private water supplies, including the wells of nearly half of Maine residents. Students in ES366 (The Environment and Human Health) hosted a public forum on this issue on April 10, 2015 in Belgrade, Maine. Public knowledge about arsenic in private well water and well water testing was assessed by asking forum attendees to fill out an anonymous pre- and post-survey. Results of these surveys are discussed in this presentation.

https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2015/program/74