We wanted to alert readers to a free online tool that allows ordinary folks to create custom Google maps. With it, users can easily plug-in street addresses, lat. and long. coordinates, or can navigate visually to a location by hand, and can add the digital equivalent of push-pins and labels. Though Map Builder is technically still in beta, we've recently used it and fell in love.

After free registration, users can create their very own, custom Google maps without having to know any code. Well, almost - if you want to add a map to your website, you will need to know how and where to copy/paste the code (all generated for you by Map Builder), but that's about all.

We thought this was the perfect tool for activists, community representatives, or anyone who would like to communicate visually about contamination. Whether marking the location of contaminated water wells, plume boundaries, vapor intrusion detects, or disease occurrences, nearly every contaminated community can benefit from a custom map. Plus, we can't tell you how many frustrated web-searchers have ended up at the TCE Blog in search of a contamination map, only to find the particular map they seek does not exist online at all.

We used Map Builder to create the following 2 simple maps as examples:

• 17 EPA-identified contamination sites in Cheshire, CT
• Map of select toxic migration as of 1985 in Cheshire, CT

(For more context on these maps, see this post at The Cheshire Town Post)

Our only negative experience with Map Builder so far is with the map editing interface: It's a little clunky when you start, but once you get used to it, it is a breeze.

Check out Map Builder. And consider making maps! If you do create and post them, please let us know.