Central Plains Drinking Water Quality and Rural Health Symposium

Thank You for Attending This Event

Clean water is fundamental to health, yet many rural communities face unique challenges in maintaining and accessing safe water. The Central Plains Drinking Water Quality and Rural Health Symposium provided a platform to share relevant issues, identify data gaps, foster cross-disciplinary communication, and develop actionable strategies for improving water quality and public health outcomes in rural settings.

During the 2026 symposium, researchers, health professionals, rural health advocates, policymakers, and community leaders from Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Oklahoma explored the critical intersection of water quality and rural health.

Discussion topics included:

• Drinking water safety in rural populations
• Groundwater contamination
• Health impacts of nitrates, PFAS, and other contaminants
• Community engagement and communication
• Policy
• Infrastructure and funding solutions

2026 Symposium Presentations

We are so pleased with the wonderful discussions throughout the symposium as well as the feedback we received to help us structure potential future events. We hope that you found the symposium informative, engaging, and valuable to your work.

The preface and state vignette presentations from the symposium on June 2, 2026, at the University of Kansas Conference Center are available below.

Jesse Bell – University of Nebraska Medical Center; College of Public Health; Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health.
Presentation slides (PDF, 14.2MB)

Crystal Powers – University of Nebraska; School of Natural Resources; Nebraska Water Center.
Presentation slides (PDF, 5.8MB)

Cathy Tucker-Vogel – (Retired) Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Bureau of Water; Public Water Supply Section.
Presentation slides (PDF, 3.7MB)

Martin St. Clair – University of Iowa; IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering; Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination.
Presentation slides (PDF, 6.1MB)

Jeff Sadler – Oklahoma State University; Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering; Extension Specialist for Water Resources.
Presentation slides (PDF, 4.2MB)

Eric Medlock – Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Division of Environmental Quality; Water Protection Program; Public Drinking Water Branch.
Presentation slides (PDF, 5.9MB)

Sam Francus – Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; Environmental Program Assistant.
Presentation slides (PDF, 5.9MB)

Get State-Based Resources

Use the menu below to access resources shared by event attendees.

If you attended the event and have resources to share, email them to Hanna Szydlowski.

Sponsor Information

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this event possible and to the planning committee members and facilitators for making the symposium run smoothly.