Are Vermonters living on private water systems testing their water as frequently as the state health department recommends?
Conference Year
2023
Abstract
Objective: Examine factors associated with compliance of Vermonters living on private water systems with Vermont Department of Health (VDH) water testing recommendations. Methods: 2019 VTBRFSS data for 3,098 adults aged ≥18 years were included. Descriptive statistics for sociodemographic variables were compared to respondents’ last water testing. Results: 21.7% of respondents tested their water in the past year; 52.3% were not in compliance with the 5-year testing recommendations. 4% tested due to VDH recommendations. Conclusions: Most Vermonters with private water do not follow testing recommendations. Drilling for new wells, real estate transactions, and licensing/certifications were the most frequently cited testing motivations.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Preeti Zanwar
Status
Graduate
Student College
Larner College of Medicine
Program/Major
Public Health
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Are Vermonters living on private water systems testing their water as frequently as the state health department recommends?
Objective: Examine factors associated with compliance of Vermonters living on private water systems with Vermont Department of Health (VDH) water testing recommendations. Methods: 2019 VTBRFSS data for 3,098 adults aged ≥18 years were included. Descriptive statistics for sociodemographic variables were compared to respondents’ last water testing. Results: 21.7% of respondents tested their water in the past year; 52.3% were not in compliance with the 5-year testing recommendations. 4% tested due to VDH recommendations. Conclusions: Most Vermonters with private water do not follow testing recommendations. Drilling for new wells, real estate transactions, and licensing/certifications were the most frequently cited testing motivations.