In 1986, improving water quality was set as a major national initiative for Cooperative Extension out of the need for a deliberate, coordinated program addressing the spectrum of ground water contamination problems. Increasing public understanding of the dynamics of ground water is a momentous challenge to Cooperative Extension. The quality of public water supplies is regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the New York State Sanitary Code. However, the quality of private drinking water supplies remains the responsibility of the homeowner. The protection and quality of private drinking water supplies has been a focus of the Water Quality Extension Program in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell.
Explore our educational programs below. You may also wish to browse our list of related publications available for purchase and our downloadable factsheets.
- Home*A*Syst-- helps people evaluate their home and property for pollution risks and health hazards. Educational materials and other forms of assistance are available.
- Septic System Maintenance--educates homeowners about the proper care and maintenance of their septic systems. Fact sheets, brochures, and videos are available.
- Water Testing and Treatment-- helps consumers to identify specific water quality problems and make knowledgeable decisions for purchasing home water treatment devices. A series of fact sheets are available.
- Household Hazardous Products-- educates consumers about the proper use, storage, and safe disposal of household cleaning products and other potentially hazardous chemicals.
If you are interested in contacting the Water Quality Extension Program, please e-mail us or call (607)255-1943 or fax (607)255-1093 with your questions or comments.
