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Overview
Private water well owners in Alberta are responsible for managing and maintaining their water wells. The Working Well program provides well owners with the information and tools they need to properly care for their wells.
Background
In June 2006, a series of groundwater and coal bed methane (CBM) public information sessions were held in central and southern Alberta. These sessions addressed landowner concerns about CBM development potentially affecting groundwater supplies.
Following these sessions, additional workshops were requested by water well owners related to water well management (such as proper construction, operation and maintenance). This led to the establishment of the Working Well program.
Our vision
The Working Well program works to ensure safe and secure groundwater supplies for water well users in Alberta.
Our objectives
Awareness: To help water well owners recognize that management of private wells is their responsibility, and to understand the potential impacts of human activities on groundwater.
Knowledge: To help well owners gain a basic understanding of groundwater science, how a water well works, and how a well should be managed.
Practice Change: To help well owners acquire the knowledge and skills to adopt recommended water well management practices.
Our partners
Working Well is a collaborative effort, led by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas with the support of:
- Agriculture and Irrigation
- Alberta Health
- Alberta Water Well Drilling Association
- Alberta Health Services - Environmental Public Health
We also appreciate the past and present support of:
- Leduc County
- Yellowhead County
- Brazeau County
Awareness
Working Well was a finalist at the 27th annual Emerald Awards presentation on June 5, 2018, at the Theatre Junction Grand in Calgary. The Alberta Emerald Foundation annually celebrates innovation and environmental achievement bringing awareness to unique environmental projects occurring throughout the province.
Resources
The Working Well program has information resources available for water well owners and others interested in learning and promoting how to protect and maintain water wells.
Acknowledgments
Since it was launched in 2008, Working Well has grown to become a very successful and in-demand program for rural Albertans, providing them with the information and resources they need to manage their water wells and protect Alberta's groundwater resources. Over 14 years, the Working Well program has delivered 370 workshops to more than 10,000 people in more than 200 different communities across Alberta.
The success of this program is directly attributed to the hard work and dedication of a truly collaborative team that has drawn on the expertise and commitment of provincial employees from:
- Alberta Environment and Protected Areas
- Alberta Health
- Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation
- Alberta Health Services
We also want to thank the:
- Alberta Water Well Drilling Association
- Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen
- rural municipalities
- other organizations from across the province
Workshops
Working Well offers province-wide workshops for well owners to learn the basics of:
- groundwater
- well construction
- common well problems
- contamination risks
- water well protection and best management practices
Visit Working Well - Resources for the most up-to-date workshop schedule.
Contact
Connect with us to book a Working Well workshop or order copies of program resources:
Contact Outreach Services