Approximately 238,000 to 450,000 Albertans rely on private water wells for their water needs. In Canada, private well owners are responsible for monitoring and maintaining the quality of their water well, yet studies in Alberta indicate that owners do not undertake regular well maintenance or testing. This survey obtained information regarding farming and water well management practices, and drinking water preferences among private well owners in central Alberta. Questionnaires, water samples and drilling report information collected from 97 respondents between March 2015 and June 2017 were evaluated. Total coliforms were present (TC+) in 20/97 samples. There were no significant associations between well design and construction characteristics and the presence of TC+. Twenty-four and 20 respondents reported undertaking annual bacterial and chemical testing, respectively. Twenty-five respondents indicated their well had been shock chlorinated within the past three years. Concern about contamination (n = 28) was not significantly associated with increased frequency of water quality testing, well maintenance with shock chlorination, or purchasing of bottled water as an alternative drinking water. There has been little change since 2010 in the uptake of free water testing provided by Alberta Health Services. The organoleptic properties of water reported by respondents indicated shock chlorination might benefit a number of premises. Poultry producers are more likely to test their well water for bacterial and chemical contamination on an annual basis due to mandatory requirements stipulated by the poultry industry. There may be potential for a similar mandatory water testing guideline to be implemented for beef producers in Alberta. There is a need for education programs targeting rural well owners. The Working Well program information packages provided by the Government of Alberta provide an excellent source of information for water well owners. This survey indicates that new ways to disseminate this information to a broader audience are required.

大约238,000至450,000艾伯塔省人依靠私人水井来满足水的需求。在加拿大，私人水井所有者负责监测和维护其水井的质量，但是在艾伯塔省的研究表明，水井所有者不进行定期的水井维护或测试。这项调查获得了有关阿尔伯塔省中部私人水井所有者的农业和水井管理实践以及饮用水偏好的信息。评估了2015年3月至2017年6月期间从97位受访者那里收集的问卷，水样和钻井报告信息。在20/97个样品中存在大肠菌群（TC +）。井的设计和施工特征与TC +的存在之间没有显着的关联。24名和20名受访者分别报告进行了年度细菌和化学测试。25位受访者表示，在过去三年中，他们的油井已经过氯化激氯处理。对污染的担忧（n = 28）与水质测试频率的增加，震荡氯化法的井维护或购买瓶装水作为替代饮用水的关系不明显。自2010年以来，艾伯塔省健康服务提供的免费水测试的使用几乎没有变化。受访者报告的水的感官特性表明，冲击氯化法可能会使许多场所受益。由于家禽业规定了强制性要求，所以家禽生产商更可能每年对井水进行细菌和化学污染测试。对于艾伯塔省的牛肉生产商，有可能实施类似的强制性水质检测准则。需要针对农村油井所有者的教育计划。艾伯塔省政府提供的“工作井”计划信息包为水井所有者提供了极好的信息来源。这项调查表明，需要新的方法来将此信息传播给更广泛的受众。