VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Parrott, Kathleen R."

Browsing by Author "Parrott, Kathleen R."

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4-H home building blocks
(Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, 1989)
Description of a 4-H program for 10-12 year olds where they will learn to explore the different building blocks needed to build a home.
Adoption of microwave ovens among a sample of older adults in Blacksburg, Virginia
Nagarajan, Anandi III (Virginia Tech, 1998-04-23)
The purpose of this study was to identify the extent of adoption of microwave ovens by older adults in Blacksburg, Virginia. Level of adoption was defined and determined as a function of 1) frequency of use of the microwave oven in comparison to the range, and 2) complexity of food preparation. Mere ownership was not considered as an indicator of adoption. Focusing on the final stage of Rogers theory of adoption (1962), three levels of adoption were determined: High, medium, and low. A random sample of 75 adults 65 years and older was selected from the listing of retired personnel in the 1997-98 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University faculty and staff directory. Telephone interviews were conducted to collect information regarding current microwave oven usage patterns and decisions for future use and purchase. Relationships between level of adoption, and user characteristics and microwave oven characteristics were statistically tested. Results from the study indicate that 56% of these older adults who own a microwave oven are high adopters; i.e. they used the microwave more than the range and performed high complexity tasks. About 52% reported using the microwave oven more frequently than the range. Nearly all respondents were satisfied with the microwave oven in terms of speed and convenience, while 60% were satisfied with quality of foods cooked in the microwave oven. There was no significant difference in level of adoption with age, gender, health condition, and knowledge of microwave oven use. However, level of adoption was significantly higher among older adults who were "never" married or "previously" married compared to those that were "currently" married. Also, level of adoption was significantly lower among those older adults who had touch controls on their microwave oven compared to those with rotary dials. Other significant results of this study dealt with future use and purchase decisions. About 93% of the respondents indicated a desire to continue using a microwave oven in the future and about 76% indicated that they would purchase one in the future if their current microwave oven "dies." Results from this study have implications for appliance manufacturers who can increase sales by targeting this group, researchers in household equipment who can study adoption of other innovative appliances, and developers of retirement communities who might consider providing a microwave oven for use by residents or provide a space where one can be placed.
An analysis of individuals' attitudes and adaptations to chronic household water supply problems in a rural neighborhood
Breil, Pamela E. (Virginia Tech, 1993-04-05)
Reliable household water supply remains a problem for many small rural neighborhoods. Safe drinking water is increasingly becoming a national issue, and many small rural systems do not have the governmental supports, both financial and technical, that assure them an adequate and safe household water supply. This study focused on describing the attitudes and practices of 43 householders in a low-income rural neighborhood that owned their own water system. They had experienced chronic water problems for eight years, and were trying to get the county to take over the system. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that was developed by the researcher. An 82 percent return was achieved. Dependent variables used for analysis were: age, sex, educational level, income, and tenure status. Findings showed that most residents took minimal action to prepare for water shortages: storing only two-five gallons in plastic jugs, females taking this action more often than males. No one had developed a larger storage system. Most residents relied on family and friends for emergency water, as well as alternative bathing and toilet facilities. Forty-five percent also used a privy or the woods for alternative toilet facilities. Older residents were more likely to use sponge baths as alternative bathing. The worst problems with the situation were not having water and carrying alternative supplies. Though the majority of residents were not satisfied with the water system, they felt the cost of water was about right. A majority of residents were satisfied with their housing and the location in which they lived.
Characteristics and practices of financially-stressed homeowners in Prince William County, Virginia
O'Neill, Barbara Mary (Virginia Tech, 1995)
This study was designed to examine characteristics of overextended homeowners and to determine to what extent financial difficulty, as measured by the back-end financial ratio (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, plus consumer credit payments, divided by gross monthly income), can be explained by a combination of affective and objective attributes and precipitating life events. The Parrott and Lytton (1993) Model of Family Housing Stability was used as the theoretical basis of this investigation. Demographic characteristics; financial characteristics, including net worth and financial ratios; money management characteristics and practices; recently-experienced life events; and psychological characteristics of the sample were reported. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of Prince William County, Virginia residents who were clients of a Cooperative Extension financial counseling program. Two sources of data were used: a 169-item survey instrument and a financial profile. Of the 519 cases where both a financial profile and a survey were completed, 245 were homeowners and comprised the sample. Demographic characteristics of the sample were found to be dissimilar to those of Virginia and U.S. citizens. Respondents had lower median incomes, and a higher percentage of ethnic minorities and households with children living at home. Descriptive statistics were used to profile sample households. A quarter of the sample had a negative net worth and the mean amount of liquid assets covered one week’s expenses. Almost three-quarters of sample households had monthly household expenses that exceeded income. Over 80% experienced three or more life events that affected their finances. The most frequently-reported event was unemployment. Seventeen independent variables were regressed on the dependent variable to produce a statistically significant R² of .3138 (p <.0001). Objective and affective attributes and precipitating life events were also regressed as blocks on the dependent variable. Only the objective attribute group was significant, accounting for approximately a quarter of the variance in financial difficulty. Only one individual variable, the number of household earners, was significant in explaining variance in the dependent variable. A negative coefficient indicated that, as the number of wage earners was reduced, the back-end ratio of sample households increased.
A comparison of spatial interpretations of NASA's payload operations control center, Marshall Space Flight Center, using real world and virtual reality observations
Lindsey, Patricia F. (Virginia Tech, 1996-12-22)
Virtual reality (VR) is the latest technique to be used in the ongoing search for experiential simulation methods for evaluation of environmental designs. The purpose of the study was to investigate the potential for using VR to evaluate interior environments. The objective was to investigate whether observation of a VR simulation provides the same information as observation of the existing environment. A sample of 24 NASA engineers and university faculty members observed the Payload Operations Control Center (POCC) at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Comparisons were made of observations of the actual POCC, a VR simulation, and a second VR simulation that was altered to test for ability to recognize changes. Participants evaluated the POCC for differences in general characteristics, object visibility, distance perception, ability to reach an object, and ability to share objects and conversation. Comparisons were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, and I tests. Findings revealed few differences among the real and the VR worlds. Changes to the virtual world were generally recognized.
Defining Eligible Families in Public Housing and Welfare: the Traditions, Values, and Legalities of Family Form
Johnson, Charlotte Charlene (Virginia Tech, 2002-05-12)
This paper examines how the definition of family, within Federal public housing and welfare policy, corresponds with changes in family patterns in America from 1950 to 2000. The definition of family as used to determine welfare eligibility is extremely important not only for how it defines recipients of cash aid but also because of how it affects public housing clients. In the name of economic vitality, needy individuals might choose to define their family according to the lowest common denominator to gain access to both welfare and public housing, thus negating diverse forms of family. Since family definition serves as an important gate-keeping device for program benefits to otherwise eligible families, it is important to establish if policy definitions of family reflect changing patterns of need or perceived normative definitions of "proper" family form. While public housing policy is the focal point of this research, it is necessary to review both housing and welfare policy to ascertain the impact of welfare policy's definition on overlapping participants. The changes in policy definition will be juxtaposed with cultural and legal shifts in family form to explore the policy's interaction with larger social trends. Public housing and welfare policy beginning with their respective inaugural legislation, the Wagner-Steagall Housing Act of 1937 and the Social Security Act of 1934, and their subsequent revisions are examined to track modifications to family definition. U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Reports, Series P20-537, "America's Families and Living Arrangements" data from 1950-2000 and Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters (POSSLQ) forecasting have been used to track social trends related to family composition patterns. Additionally, Federal and State Supreme Court rulings related to family formation and Domestic Partner legislation in California and Vermont have been used to gauge the legal legitimacy of varying family forms. Among the study's findings is public housing legislation's ongoing broad definition of family, the degree of influence welfare policy has historically had on the family form of public housing residents, and public housing's new "mixed family". Recommendations for future research include an examination of public housing's new "mixed family" issue and an examination of the impact on family form of the current public housing and welfare legislation: Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
The Effect of Carpet Fiber on the Growth of Dermataphagiodes farniae in a Controlled Environment
Andes, Glenda Gilmore (Virginia Tech, 2000-12-11)
Mites are endemic and allergy to mite excreta and parts is one of the most common allergies. Health care practitioners have recommended the removal of carpets from homes of people with mite allergies. Little, if any, consideration is given to the fact that some persons may benefit directly from the presence of carpet in their homes. In the allergen and mite research literature, carpets are rarely described as having unique characteristics and are generally referred to as a generic entity. Carpets, however, do have unique characteristics that define their construction, appearance, wearability, and cleanability. Seventy-two pieces of commercially available, residential flooring materials were inoculated with identical numbers of mites, Dermatophagiodes farinae, and placed in the Textiles Conditioning Lab at Virginia Tech. The mites and carpet pieces were maintained in the lab, under identical, environmentally controlled conditions for 6 weeks, then the mites were extracted and counted. On the basis of the results of statistical tests run on the study data, the null hypothesis, that there is no difference between the numbers of mites grown on the different flooring conditions, was rejected. Statistically significant differences exist between the hard floor and the nylon carpet, between hard floor and olefin carpets, but no difference between hard floor and wool carpet. Nylon was the carpet fiber that was most supportive of the growth of house dust mites, olefin was the second most supportive, and wool carpet and hard floor were similar in being the least supportive.
Evaluation of household water quality in Accomack and Northampton Counties, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Allison, L. S.; Belote, J. N.; Diem, J. F.; Holden, B. E.; Kellam, P. M.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2000-11)
During Fall1999 in Accomack and Northampton Counties, Virginia, programs of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, were conducted. Participation in the water quality programs was made available to any resident of these two counties who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the projects, 353 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in these two counties as iron/manganese, total dissolved solids, and bacteria. Additionally, a number of samples were determined to have concentrations of sodium high enough to possibly lead to health complications for at-risk segments of the population. Following completion of the program, a survey was mailed to the 353 participants. One hundred and ninety-seven participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason(s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason was concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. Nearly two-thirds of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Ten percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or more of the following actions: purchase or rent water treatment equipment, use bottled water drinking/cooking, and contact a state agency for further assistance.
Evaluation of household water quality in Amelia and Powhatan Counties, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Burke, K. W.; Henry, M. L.; Hobbs, F. C.; Pessner, E. D.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1999-09)
During Summer/Fall 1998 in Amelia and Powhatan Counties, Virginia, programs of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, were conducted. Participation in the water quality programs was made available to any resident of these two counties who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the projects, 309 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in these two counties as iron/manganese, corrosivity, and bacteria. Additionally, a number of samples were determined to have concentrations of nitrate high enough to possibly lead to health complications for at-risk segments of the population. Following completion of the programs, a survey was mailed to the 309 participants. Ninety-five participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason(s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason was concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. Nearly two-thirds of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Thirty percent of all participants had, or planned to, shock chlorinate the water system.
Evaluation of household water quality in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell Counties, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Smith, Helen W.; Seay, William W.; Thaxton, J. P.; Irvin, K. C.; McClenny, L. C.; Eberly, Eric; Lee, A. O.; Baker, Scott M.; White, R. C.; Sanderson, R. L.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1999-05)
During Spring/Summer 1998 in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell Counties, Virginia, programs of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, were conducted. Participation in the water quality programs was made available to any resident of these four counties who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the project, 490 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in these four counties as iron/manganese, corrosivity, and bacteria. After the completion of the general water testing program, water supplies from 12 households were resampled for the testing of 16 pesticides and other chemical compounds. None of the samples had a concentration of any of these contaminants exceeding EPA Health Advisory of Maximum Contaminant Levels. Furthermore, there were no detections of any compound observed. Following completion of the programs, a survey was mailed to the 490 participants. Two hundred and fifty-six participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason(s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason was concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. More than two-thirds of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Fifteen percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or both of the following actions: shock chlorinate the water system and purchase or rent water treatment equipment.
Evaluation of household water quality in Augusta County, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Campbell, C. L.; Swisher, Jerry M.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2000-07)
During Summer 1999, a program of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, was conducted in Augusta County, Virginia. Participation in the water quality program was made available to any Augusta County resident who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the project, 153 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chlorid fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total colifor and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in Augusta County as iron/manganese, hardness, total dissolved solids, and bacteria. Additionally, a number of samples were determined to have concentrations of sodium high enough to possibly lead to health complications for at-risk segments of the population. After the completion of the general water testing program, water supplies from 5 households were resampled for the testing of 23 pesticides and other chemical compounds. None of the samples had a concentration of any of these contaminants exceeding EPA Health Advisor or Maximum Contaminant Levels. A total of five detections were observed in three separate samples. Following completion of the program, a survey was mailed to the 153 participants. Ninety-four participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason(s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason being concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. More than one-half of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Ten percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or all of the following actions: purchase 1 rent water treatment equipment, improve existing water treatment, and shock chlorinate the water system.
Evaluation of household water quality in Bath and Highland Counties, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Leech, Rodney; Campbell, C. L.; Whitmore, S. A.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2001-04)
During Fall 2000 in Bath and Highland Counties, Virginia, programs of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, were conducted. Participation in the water quality programs was made available to any resident of these two counties who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the projects, 60 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E.coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in these two counties as iron/manganese, hardness, and bacteria. Following completion of the programs, a survey was mailed to the 60 participants. Thirty-one participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason(s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason was concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. Nearly three-fourths of the households who reported having at least one water quality of their water supply. Twenty percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or more of the following actions: shock chlorinate the water system, improve the physical condition of the water source, and contact a state agency for further assistance.
Evaluation of household water quality in Bland and Giles Counties, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Danner, D. R.; Scott, J. A.; Barnes, L. Dawn; Childers, L. A.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2000-01)
During Spring 1999 in Bland and Giles Counties, Virginia, programs of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, were conducted. Participation in the water quality programs was made available to any resident of these two counties who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the projects, 153 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria.These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in these two counties as iron/manganese, hardness, and bacteria. Additionally, a number of samples were determined to have concentrations of sodium and nitrate high enough to possibly lead to health complications for at-risk segments of the population. Following completion of the programs, a survey was mailed to the 153 participants. Seventy-two participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason( s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason was concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. Nearly three-fifths of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Ten percent or more of all participants had, or planned to, take one or more of the following actions: shock chlorinate the water system, purchase or rent water treatment equipment, and contact a state agency for further assistance.
Evaluation of household water quality in Brunswick and Nottoway Counties, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Gregg, Cynthia L.; Morris, J. L.; Brydie, R. S.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2000-12)
During Spring 2000 in Brunswick and Nottoway Counties, Virginia, programs of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, were conducted. Participation in the water quality programs was made available to any resident of these two counties who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the projects, 115 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in these two counties as iron/manganese, corrosivity, and bacteria. Following completion of the programs, a survey was mailed to the 115 participants. Fifty-seven participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason(s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason was concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. Two-thirds of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Fourteen percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or more of the following actions: shock chlorinate the water system, use bottled water drinking/cooking, and temporary disinfection, such as boiling water.
Evaluation of household water quality in Buckingham, Cumberland and Nelson counties
Ross, Burton Blake; Austin, Edith A.; Hanes, E. A.; Lachance, Michael W.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1999-10)
During Fall 1998 in Buckingham, Cumberland, and Nelson Counties, Virginia, programs of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, were conducted. Participation in the water quality programs was made available to any resident of these three counties who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the projects, 238 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in these three counties as iron/manganese, corrosivity, and bacteria. Additionally, a number of samples were determined to have concentrations of nitrate high enough to possibly lead to health complications for at-risk segments of the population. Following completion of the programs, a survey was mailed to the 238 participants. Ninety-one participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason(s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason was concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. More than four-fifths of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Ten percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or more of the following actions: purchase or rent water treatment equipment, contact a state agency for assistance or additional information, and shock chlorinate the water system.
Evaluation of household water quality in Dinwiddie and Prince George Counties, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Parrish, Michael J.; Schmidt, W. W.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1999-12)
During Fall 1998 in Dinwiddie and Prince George Counties, Virginia, programs of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, were conducted. Participation in the water quality programs was made available to any resident of these two counties who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the projects, 520 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in these two counties as iron/manganese, corrosivity, and bacteria. Additionally, a number of samples were determined to have concentrations of nitrate high enough to possibly lead to health complications for at-risk segments of the population. After the completion of the general water testing program, water supplies from 27 households were resampled for the testing of 25 pesticides and other chemical compounds. Only one of the samples had a concentration of any of these contaminants exceeding EPA Health Advisory of Maximum Contaminant Levels. Furthermore, a total of only seven detections were observed in four separate samples. Following completion of the programs, a survey was mailed to the 520 participants. One hundred and eighty-four participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason(s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason was concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. Four-fifths of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Ten percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or more of the following actions: shock chlorinate the water system, purchase or rent water treatment equipment, and use bottled water for drinking/cooking.
Evaluation of household water quality in Essex, King and Queen, King William, and Middlesex Counties, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Balderson, T. Keith; Lawrence, C. L.; Moore, David M.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2000-03)
During Spring 1999 in Essex, King and Queen, King William, and Middlesex Counties, Virginia, programs of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, were conducted. Participation in the water quality programs was made available to any resident of these four counties who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the projects, 342 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in these four counties as iron/manganese, corrosivity, and bacteria, although the occurrence and extent of these problems varied across the four counties. Chloride and total dissolved solids were particular problems only in Middlesex County. Additionally, a number of samples in all four counties were determined to have concentrations of sodium and nitrate high enough to possibly lead to health complications for at-risk segments of the population. After the completion of the general water testing program, water supplies from 15 households were resampled for the testing of 29 pesticides and other chemical compounds. None of the samples had a concentration of any of these contaminants exceeding EPA Health Advisory or Maximum Contaminant Levels. Furthermore, a total of only five detections were observed in five separate samples. Following completion of the programs, a survey was mailed to the 342 participants. One hundred and seven participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason(s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason was concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. Nearly three-fourths of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Thirteen percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or both of the following actions: shock chlorinate the water system and use bottled water for drinking/cooking.
Evaluation of household water quality in Floyd County, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Barnes, L. Dawn; Gardner, D. L.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1999-02)
During Spring 1998, a program of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, was conducted in Floyd County, Virginia. Participation in the water quality program was made available to any Floyd County resident who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the project, 101 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in Floyd County as iron/manganese, corrosivity, and bacteria. Following completion of the program, a survey was mailed to the 101 participants. Forty-nine participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason(s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason being concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. Nearly two-thirds of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Fourteen percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or more of the following actions: improve existing water treatment equipment, shock chlorinate the water system, and purchase or rent water treatment equipment.
Evaluation of household water quality in Louisa County, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Riddell, J. E.; Robinson, P. H.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2000-07)
During Summer and Fall 1999, a program of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, was conducted in Louisa County, Virginia. Participation in the water quality program was made available to any Louisa County resident who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the project, 383 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in Louisa County as iron/manganese, corrosivity, and bacteria. Following completion of the program, a survey was mailed to the 383 participants. One hundred and sixty-three participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason( s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason being concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. More than three-fourths of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Eleven percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or more of the following actions: shock chlorinate the water system, pump out septic tank, contact a state ageny for additional assistance, and purchase or rent water treatment equipment.
Evaluation of household water quality in Richmond and Westmoreland Counties, Virginia
Ross, Burton Blake; Tabulenas, T.; Johnson, Sam; Liddington, Kelly J.; Parrott, Kathleen R.; Bourne, Amanda C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1999-04)
During Spring 1998 in Richmond and Westmoreland Counties, Virginia, programs of household water quality education, which included water sampling, testing, and diagnosis, were conducted. Participation in the water quality programs was made available to any resident of these two counties who utilized a private, individual water supply. During the course of the projects, 135 households submitted water samples which were analyzed for iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, pH, saturation index, copper, sodium, nitrate, and total coliform and E. coli bacteria. These analyses identified the major household water quality problems in these two counties as iron/manganese, corrosivity, and bacteria. Additionally, a number of samples were determined to have concentrations of sodium and nitrate high enough to possibly lead to health complications for at-risk segments of the population. After the completion of the general water testing program, water supplies from 7 households were resampled for the testing of 23 pesticides and other chemical compounds. None of the samples had a concentration of any of these contaminants exceeding EPA Health Advisory of Maximum Contaminant Levels. Furthermore, a total of only four detections were observed, all of which were trifluralin. Following completion of the programs, a survey was mailed to the 135 participants. Forty participants returned survey forms on which they identified their reason( s) for participating in such a program; the primary reason was concern about safety of their water supply. Returned survey forms also provided insight into measures participants had already taken, or planned to take, to improve the quality of their water supply. More than one-half of the households who reported having at least one water quality problem had taken, or planned to take, at least one measure to improve the quality of their water supply. Ten percent or more of all participants had taken, or planned to take, one or more of the following actions: use bottled water for drinking/cooking and shock chlorinate the water system.