The Know Your H2O Program is an initiative specifically designed to educate private well owners and others (City Water or Tap Water Users) about drinking water quality, groundwater management, and environmental stewardship. Developed by Brian Oram, a licensed professional geologist and soil scientist with over 30 years of experience, the program evolved from earlier efforts like the Water Research Center and the Carbon County Groundwater Guardian Program, eventually becoming part of the Keystone Clean Water Team, a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2002 (Corrected – originally the "AI" said 2013). It aims to empower individuals with fact-based knowledge and tools to manage their water resources effectively, particularly in the absence of federal or state regulation for private wells.  Our private well owner education outreach efforts started in the early part of 1990.  

We asked Grok2 about the Know Your H2O Program (Anything in red is where we expanded or corrected the record) otherwise the content was written by an AI.  We added all the links.

Key Features of the Know Your H2O Program for Private Well Owners

1. Educational Outreach

The program provides comprehensive resources on private well maintenance, water testing, and contamination prevention. It emphasizes understanding the science behind groundwater and wells, helping owners make informed decisions.

Topics include well construction, siting, testing frequency, and identifying local contamination risks (e.g., nitrates, bacteria, or industrial pollutants).

2. Path to Clean Water

The program is structured around two main sections:

Indoor: Focuses on drinking water for private well owners and city water users, covering testing, treatment options, and health impacts.

Outdoor: Targets surface water and watershed health, aimed at water professionals, educators, and citizen scientists, but also relevant for well owners concerned about groundwater recharge.

It follows a step-by-step framework: Get Informed, Get Tested, Get Treatment, Get Tools, Get Training, and Get Connected/Involved, encouraging proactive water management.

3. Tools and Resources

Offers mobile apps like **Know Your H2O?**, which guides users through diagnosing water quality issues via symptom-based questions, providing tailored testing and treatment recommendations. Available on Android and iPhone platforms, it’s a practical tool for well owners. (Correction – the Mobile App was deactivated and we created a new tool known as the Drinking Water Diagnostic Tool).  For Surface Water Monitoring programs we make available our WQI Calculator that is currently being used in over 60 different countries. 

Provides access to mail-order water testing kits, citizen science tools (e.g., Surface Water Quality Calculator), we are developing a Drinking Water Index Calculator, and educational guides like the "Drinking Water Guide for Well Water and City Water" and our current booklet titled "Our Drinking Water".

4. Testing Programs

Facilitates informational water testing (not for regulatory purposes) through partnerships with certified labs, such as National Testing Labs and the Tap Score (Simple Lab) Program. For example, in Harvey's Lake, Pennsylvania, the program has tested over 100 wells since 2006, reducing the percentage of problematic wells from over 70% to under 30% through owner education and action.  (Addition:  Our testing program is a worldwide effort, but has a strong focus on the US Market, but we like to take a Community Approach).

Testing options range from basic screenings (e.g., coliform, pH, nitrates) to comprehensive analyses (e.g., metals, arsenic, fluoride), with results explained in custom reports.

5. Community Impact (Projects)

The program has conducted grassroots outreach globally, including in the U.S., India, Aruba, and Europe, adapting its education to local needs. It collaborates with organizations like the Harvey's Lake Environmental Advisory Council to offer subsidized testing and workshops.  We also work very closely with our PA state partner the Keystone Clean Water Team (501c3). 

It promotes self-reliance, showing that education can improve water quality without heavy-handed regulation and the importance of grassroots support.

How It Supports Private Well Owners

Knowledge Gap: Many of the 43 million+ Americans relying on private wells lack awareness of proper maintenance. Know Your H2O fills this gap with accessible, science-based education. Based on our website traffic, we have helped 10 to 100s of million individuals throughout the world. 

Health Focus: By teaching owners to test annually for bacteria and nitrates (and periodically for other contaminants), it helps prevent health risks from unmonitored groundwater, which studies show affects one in five wells with contaminants exceeding safe levels. To be honest:  For PA, we have found that up to 50% of private wells have a problem with a contaminant that could make people sick and up to 5 % of the wells could look like they have been impacted by natural gas development and fracking, but they actually were not.

Practical Solutions: It connects owners with professionals for complex issues and offers DIY tools for basic management, balancing empowerment with expert support, and providing a fact based path to the solution that works best for the individual. 

It follows a step-by-step framework: Get Informed, Get Tested, Get Treatment, Get Tools, Get Training, and Get Connected/Involved, encouraging proactive water management.

Why It Matters

Unlike public water systems, private wells place the burden of safety on the owner. The Know Your H2O Program aligns with broader efforts (e.g., EPA, CDC, (added Water Quality Association, National Health Organizations, Local Health Agencies, and Local Conservation Districts)) but stands out for its hands-on, user-friendly approach and long-term commitment to citizen science. As of March 15, 2025, it continues to evolve, leveraging updated knowledge and technology to address emerging water quality challenges.  (added the Web Portal has over 2 million monthly search views in Google and the daily unique visitors range from about 10,000 to over 40,000 unique individuals per day).

For private well owners, this program is a vital resource to navigate the complexities of groundwater stewardship, ensuring their water remains safe and sustainable. If you’re a well owner, it’s a practical starting point to assess and protect your water supply—would you like specific advice on applying its tools to your situation?   Also, all the online content is provided to the Community for Free and not funded by any health department, government agency, or water treatment company. 

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