Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was issued?
The Private Well Water Climate Impact Index (PWWCII) assesses climate-related risks to communities relying on private well water across the United States. This new tool evaluates climate-related hazards (such as drought, flooding, and wildfires) and their impact on water quality. The index integrates population characteristics to highlight communities that are more vulnerable to these hazards. It aims to provide a standardized measure for comparing the climate-related risks of private well water across different regions. This method allows for targeted policy interventions, resource allocation, and public health initiatives, particularly in areas that lack federal regulations governing private well water quality.
Who is affected?
An estimated 43 million people in the U.S. depend on private wells, a population vulnerable to unregulated water quality issues. Climate-related hazards, such as extreme weather events, can exacerbate contamination risks in private wells. This tool will be of particular importance to local public health authorities, environmental health practitioners, and epidemiologists working to address water quality concerns in these communities. Vulnerable groups, including infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, are particularly at risk due to their increased susceptibility to waterborne contaminants.
Most important findings
The PWWCII integrates data on climate hazards (drought, flood, wildfire) and private well water contamination. The index assigns impact scores, categorizing census tracts as very low, low, moderate, high, or very high risk. These scores help identify areas at high risk for private well contamination and highlight demographic groups more likely to face these challenges, such as non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native populations. The tool identifies regions, especially in the West and Southeast, where climate impacts like drought and wildfire increase contamination risks for private well water users. The index also correlates climate vulnerability with social factors like income and housing, showing the disproportionate effects of climate change on marginalized communities.
Key implications
The introduction of the PWWCII provides a much-needed tool to guide climate-related risk assessments and policy decisions for communities relying on private well water. For the food and beverage industry, this tool could support water quality monitoring and sustainability practices, especially in regions where private wells supply water for agricultural activities. It also encourages proactive public health interventions, such as improving well testing and ensuring clean drinking water for vulnerable populations. The PWWCII’s use in research could drive further exploration into the relationship between climate change, water quality, and health outcomes, potentially shaping future public health regulations and food safety standards.
Citation
Peer, Komal, Brian Hubbard, Michele Monti, Patrick Vander Kelen, and Angela K. Werner. “The Private Well Water Climate Impact Index: Characterization of Community-level Climate-related Hazards and Vulnerability in the Continental United States.” Science of The Total Environment957, (2024): 177409. Accessed October 8, 2025. DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177409.
