Improving Private Well Testing Programs: Experimental Evidence from Iowa.
Environ Sci Technol
; 58(33): 14596-14607, 2024 Aug 20.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39105748
ABSTRACT
Approximately 23 million U.S. households rely on private wells for drinking water. This study first summarizes drinking water behaviors and perceptions from a large-scale survey of households that rely on private wells in Iowa. Few households test as frequently as recommended by public health experts. Around 40% of households do not regularly test, treat, or avoid their drinking water, suggesting pollution exposure may be widespread among this population. Next, we utilize a randomized control trial to study how nitrate test strips and information about a free, comprehensive water quality testing program influence households' behaviors and perceptions. The intervention significantly increased testing, including high-quality follow-up testing, but had limited statistically detectable impacts on other behaviors and perceptions. Households' willingness to pay for nitrate test kits and testing information exceeds program costs, suggesting that the intervention was welfare-enhancing.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Water Wells
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Environ Sci Technol
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States