A coupled-systems framework for reducing health risks associated with private drinking water wells

Abstract

Privately owned wells are vulnerable to contamination and as such pose a significant public health threat to those who rely on them for domestic water use. While a myriad of studies have sought to individually examine well water quality or the stewardship behaviours among well owners and users, few have effectively explored the intersection between private groundwater contamination and human behaviour. Even hydrosociology, socio-hydrology, and socio-hydrogeology, which make cases for an integrated, transdisciplinary approach to water-related challenges, do not appropriately describe the full range or complexity of interactions between the hydrological, geological and human systems necessary for effective public health interventions. To respond to this gap, a novel framework is proposed within the Canadian context, building upon ecohealth principles, and applied to an exposure framework developed for private wells. This framework improves upon current hydrologically based approaches and provides a comprehensive coupled (social and physical) systems framing of risk within the context of private well ownership. Application of this conceptual framework may be employed to support both transformative public health responses and effective stewardship by well owners.