...or at least where to find it. Water quality affects every member of our community from farmers who depend on wells and irrigation to water their crops and livestock to parents who rely on public water systems to provide healthy drinking water for themselves and their children. A lack of knowledge about water quality and ways to preserve it was identified as a key issue in our community in the Richland County Health Department's Quality of Life Profile, so the Richland County Water Quality Action Group has created this website to provide the community with this important information.

The Water Quality Action Group was formed to address community concerns and needs around water quality, and they began their work by researching the types of information available to the public. The group was surprised to find that a wealth of information is publically available, but that much of that information is not widely advertised or easy to access. This site is meant to help community members find and understand important information about water safety, quality and testing.

The links on the right will lead you to pages that will help you understand sources and ways of reducing water pollution including proper disposal of e-waste and pesticides, when and how to conduct private water testing, publicly available test results and water regulations that affect Richland County, answer some of your frequently asked questions, and suggest experts that you can contact if you have a more specific question or need. You can also download a copy of the brochure Water Quality in Richland County, or ask for a copy at the Conservation District, Health Department or MSU Extension Office - Richland County.

The Water Quality Action Group is a group of concerned citizens of Richland County who are working together to address water quality issues in the county. They welcome visitors and new group members to their monthly meetings and have amailing list which anyone may join. If you would like to contact the group, attend a meeting, or join the list to stay aware of what is being done about water in your county, please contact Becky Hayes at the Richland County Health Department..