Powered by SimpleLab: City of Aurora

How the City of Aurora Tested Private Wells for Its Residents

When residents in the Weston Woods neighborhood of Aurora, Ohio raised concerns about the quality and quantity of their well water, the city listened. Rather than leaving each household to navigate testing on its own, the City of Aurora's Department of Public Services set out to test the whole area at once, building a clear picture of the groundwater serving these homes and laying the groundwork for a possible solution.

To manage it all, the city used SimpleLab to order test kits, ship and track them, and see every result in one place, while still giving each resident access to their own report. Aurora ultimately tested 36 households at no cost to them. SimpleLab handled the logistics from kit delivery through laboratory analysis, so the city's team could focus on collecting samples and sharing results.

We spoke with the city of Aurora about how the program came together. Read on for our full interview!

What made this project meaningful to work on?

Residents in a particular area of the city are serviced by private wells, and many of them are experiencing complications with water quality and water quantity. The residents approached the city with their concerns, which prompted us to evaluate the quality of the water and understand what the groundwater in the area is producing. The city used SimpleLab to obtain lab results that would help us apply for grant funding to potentially install a waterline for those who wish to connect. We are continuing to look at options as residents formally petition to have a waterline installed.

What was the goal of the well water testing project?

To obtain results that would help us understand the quality concerns in the area, and to have data we could use to apply for grant funding that may be available to us.

About how many homes did you test, and how did you choose them?

The project area included six roadways in the Weston Woods neighborhood. We solicited 86 households, and 36 were tested at no cost to them.

Why was it important to offer this testing to residents?

It was important to us and to them to understand what quality concerns existed. Some residents had their wells privately tested and others had not, so this allowed everyone, including us, to become aware of the general concerns in the area.

The city collected the samples itself rather than having residents do it. Why did you go that route?

We wanted the ability to control the tests and make sure the process was done exactly as directed in the instructions.

How did SimpleLab help make the project easier to manage?

Ordering through SimpleLab was, as advertised, simple. The communication was helpful as we built this project from the ground up. The dashboard made it easy for both us and the homeowners to access the data from the tests. It could not have been an easier solution for the complex issues these homeowners have been facing.

What was the most helpful part of working with SimpleLab?

When this project came about, we first looked at the kits on Amazon. Without realizing it, I reached out to SimpleLab directly and found out their platform let me control all the tests from one screen. I was unprepared for how easy the process was going to be, especially while distributing tests to 36 households.

How did you share the results with residents once they came back?

Residents were emailed their results as they became available, and we received the results at the same time.

Would you recommend this kind of testing program to other cities? Why?

Yes! This was a simple process, and I would recommend it to any community willing to offer testing to their residents. The program was user friendly, and the staff at SimpleLab were always there to make sure my questions were answered.

A Simpler Way to Manage Community Testing

Aurora's project shows what's possible when a community decides to get ahead of a water question instead of waiting on it. By testing an entire neighborhood at once, the city gave residents clarity and gave itself the data needed to pursue a long-term solution.

If your city, utility, or organization is managing testing across many locations, SimpleLab can help you order kits, track them, and see every result in one place. Explore testing options or contact our team to talk through your project.