AWWA SOURCES55760

This paper describes an education and research program by Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University faculty and educators that is in direct response to federal and state initiatives to protect and improve drinking water, including the New York Source Water Assessment Program. The project team identified small water systems operators, particularly rural businesses such as restaurants, convenience stores, campgrounds, mobile home parks, and small apartment buildings, as an under-served audience that may have a significant impact on water quality. The educational program described combines a site assessment approach common to nonpoint source pollution control with a pollution prevention approach common for businesses and manufacturers. The site and operations assessment assist the user in identifying possible on-site sources of contamination, identify travel routes of the contaminants, and develop management practices that will minimize the potential for contamination of water resources. Materials include a site map template, education and assessment guides on each topic (drinking water well, fuel storage tanks, on-site wastewater treatment systems, pesticides, grounds maintenance, and hazardous chemical products). Evaluation of the program methods and content was accomplished through pre- and post-intervention interviews of participants in a workshop and in site assessments conducted by an educator. Implementation of the program will be initiated by a satellite-broadcast videoconference in the fall of 2002. Includes 3 references, table, figures.