RCHC Community Project Abstracts

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Well-water use in Springfield, Oregon: Understanding Patient Knowledge and Practices and Developing a Patient Handout on Well Water Safety.
Date of project: 7/3/2006

The safety of well water has important health implications for thousands of mostly rural Oregonians. While there is little data quantifying the amount of illness and disease caused each year by the contamination of well water, it is well known that certain contaminants both are present in well water and have the potential to cause short-and long-term health problems. This study attempted to assess the level of knowledge that patients at Springfield Family Physicians have of the potential health risks of drinking well water, as well as patients' knowledge regarding steps that can be taken to assure the safety of well water. This was accomplished by designing a questionnaire about the sources of patients' drinking water and their attitudes and practices regarding water safety. Finally, a handout was developed to provide patients with information about well-water safety and resources to help test and maintain their wells.

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