ROANOKE — The Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP) is seeking homeowners interested in learning more about the quality of their water and the condition of their well. 

“Unlike public drinking water systems, private wells do not have experts regularly checking the water’s source and its quality before it is sent to the tap. Households that use private wells must take special precautions to ensure the safety of their drinking water,” a SERCAP release stated.

SERCAP has partnered with The University of Illinois to survey private wells across the southeastern U.S. 

The information gathered from these surveys will help identify trends across the U.S. regarding well construction, and overall maintenance and performance. “This data could identify areas where state and local government could better support well owners, for example, by providing low cost sampling programs,” the release stated.

For more information, or for those interested in participating in a free private well assessment, contact Janice Tatum at (984) 222-4304 or email jtatum@sercap.org.