Clean Water for NC is celebrating World Water Day this year with the release of our new report "Advancing Well User Protections Through Policy"!
This year's theme for International World Water Day 2022 is Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible. Acknowledging the importance of groundwater and the services it provides to individuals across the globe is essential to developing protective well user protection policies, including policies for North Carolina's nearly 3 million private well users!
With assistance from NC Well Water Working Group members, UNC's Superfund Research Program, NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) and NC Department of Health and Human Service (NC DHHS) officials, we outlined the case for two well user protection proposals:
1. Increase Funding, Scope & Accessibility of the Bernard Allen Fund
2. Require Well Testing Prior to Real Estate Transactions
We hope you find this report insightful and inspiring. Our team looks forward to continuing to develop these policy recommendations before introducing them to some "legislative champions" in Raleigh!
Did you know that North Carolina has the second largest population of private well users in the U.S.? Not only that, but there are no federal protections for these individuals - it is complete up to private well users to ensure the safety of their drinking water.
What can you do to advocate for well user protections in your own community?
- Reach out to your state representatives and urge them to support policies that promote safe drinking water protections for North Carolina well users
- Visit our Well User Protection page to learn more about your county's well program. (Your county's Environmental Health Director is your local resource for everything "wells" - they are there to assist you!)
- Connect with Clean Water for NC staff about any questions or concerns you have about your private well
