Private Water Network

The Private Water Network (PWN) is a virtual platform and community of professionals working to protect the public's health from contaminants in private drinking water sources. It is the only network specifically for professionals who serve communities with private drinking water and septic systems.

The PWN aims to:

  • Build a sustainable community for those working to support private water programs
  • Connect peers to share experiences, insights, and resources
  • Provide access to timely and relevant guidance for existing and emerging issues
  • Build capacity to do the work more effectively and efficiently to protect the public's health from contaminants in private water sources

Join the Network and Receive NEHA Membership

For a limited time, non-NEHA Members who join the PWN will receive a free 3-month NEHA Membership to explore all the perks and benefits our membership offers:

  • Unlimited access to our e-Learning portal of courses, webinars, and trainings
  • Member-only emails direct to you with resources, funding opportunities, legislative updates, events, Journal of Environmental Health, and more
  • Full access to our online Community of environmental health professionals from around the world to share ideas, ask questions, and build connections

There is no obligation to purchase NEHA membership at the end of the three months. NEHA Membership is not required to participate in the PWN.

Sign Up for the PWN

Virtual Platform

The PWN is now hosted on NEHA’s virtual platform Community. The PWN Community provides participants with the ability to:

  • Communicate with each other to share ideas, ask questions, and build connections
  • Learn about upcoming trainings, webinars, and events
  • Access private water and septic stories, news, resources, and tools
  • Discover funding opportunities, legislative updates, and more

Additional features available on the PWN Community include:

  • Tools for the workforce
  • Resource library
  • Events calendar
  • Webinar recordings
  • Partnerships

Private Water Network Inaugural Open Forum

March 13, 2025

The PWN Inaugural Open Forum was an engaging, insightful, and informative experience. The forum highlighted the critical role of data collection and how it informs decisions and practices that enhance public health. PWN Administrator, Nicole Dutra, Senior Project Coordinator at the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) provided news on the Private Water Network and shared the results from the recent PWN SWOT Analysis. Guest speaker Amanda Goff, Senior Environmental Health Specialist from the Waterborne and Zoonotic Disease Program at the Tennessee Department of Health, provided an in-depth look at the data system she utilizes for private wells and onsite wastewater systems. Additionally, Tom DeBell, Environmental Health Engineer at the Vermont Department of Health shared resources and led a session of PWN partner organizations including, Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), the Private Well Class, the Water Well Trust, the Water Systems Council Water Well Hotline, and the Vermont Department of Health, who unveiled some exciting resources and tools to support you in the field!

Private Water Network Expansion & Partnerships

Established in December 2019, we strive to continue the expansion of the PWN. The PWN is a community intended to represent individuals from every state, tribal, local, and territorial jurisdiction across the country. We also welcome individuals from other state agencies, federal agencies, national organizations, academia, and more.

We focus efforts on building partnerships with agencies, organizations, and academia who are also focused on protecting private water and environmental public health.

Learn More

The Private Water Network is a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).